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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ The Minnesota Timberwolves cleared their heads and ended their losing streak just in time for the big return of Stephon Marbury.

Kevin Garnett had 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to finish one assist shy of his third career triple double and Terrell Brandon added 21 points in Minnesota's 103-91 victory over Vancouver on Friday night that snapped a four-game skid.

The Wolves played one of their best games of the season in a nice warmup for Marbury, the point guard who forced a trade from Minnesota to New Jersey last March.

It happens to be Marbury's 23rd birthday.

And Garnett said he has a nice gift waiting for his former teammate at Target Center.

``I got him a nice little L,'' Garnett said with a grin. ``He might not take it, though.''

Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said he is over the divorce, but he's not sure the Minnesota fans have forgiven and forgotten Marbury just yet.

``I don't know if there's any more loyal people than in the state of Minnesota,'' Saunders said. ``And when things don't work out, they take that personally.''

Garnett said he was looking forward to facing his former teammate, not to show him up but to have fun.

``This will be our first time facing each other in different uniforms,'' Garnett said. ``It's not a negative thing. I'm more excited about competing than anything.''

Saunders might not have his full lineup for the showdown, however. Starting forward Sam Mitchell sprained his left ankle three minutes into the game and was scheduled for an MRI exam today.

Mitchell stumbled while backpedaling and was stepped on by a defender. He had to be carried off the court. He was replaced by rookie Wally Szczerbiak.

Michael Dickerson scored 27 points for the Grizzlies, who got off to a solid start and led 36-31 before Minnesota closed the first half with a 31-9 run.

The Grizzlies nearly went the entire second quarter without a rebound. Only Othella Harrington's grab of a miss by Joe Smith with two seconds left in the first half spared Vancouver that indignity.

But the damage was already done. The Wolves made 16-of-20 shots in the period, turning a 25-21 deficit into a 62-45 halftime bulge.

``We lost our poise and composure,'' Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. ``That second quarter was an unbelievable turnaround. They played with that lead the rest of the game.''

The Grizzlies didn't get any points from their bench until Brent Price's basket with 2:33 left, and the Wolves' bench outscored Vancouver's reserves 43-11.

``Our problem with our bench tonight wasn't on offense,'' Hollins said. ``It was on defense. We were unable to guard them.''

Notes: The Grizzlies were only outrebounded by six in the second quarter, 7-1. ... Mitchell was on a hot streak, having averaged 15 points in his last three games and committing just 12 turnovers in his last 18 games. ... The Wolves improved to 10-0 against the Grizzlies at Target Center, 16-3 overall.