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Tuesday, Mar. 7 8:00pm ET
Wizards improve to 8-1 at Minnesota | |||||
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 GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- If the first two seasons in the MCI Center have not given the Wizards the home court advantage they hoped for, maybe they should have moved to Target Center. After outscoring Minnesota by a dozen in the fourth quarter Tuesday night and beating the Timberwolves 90-86, the Wizards are now 8-1 in downtown Minneapolis, the best record of any Timberwolves opponent.
"Sometimes you just have good success in one arena," said Washington guard Mitch Richmond. "Any time you have success, you're confident, and you try to keep it going." Losers of 15 straight away games through the end of last month, Washington won its second consecutive road game Tuesday, but required an impressive comeback to do so. Trailing by eight, the Wizards started the final period with a 14-2 run to take the lead for the first time in the half. Reserve Tracy Murray scored a game-high 17 for the Wizards, including 10 in the fourth. For the game, Washington's bench outscored the Minnesota reserves 39-18. "What was the difference was our second unit," said Wizards forward Juwan Howard. "They took control of the game in the second half and really stepped up the play. The bench did a great job." Minnesota, which saw its eight-point lead become a seven-point deficit in the first 10 minutes of the fourth, was led by Kevin Garnett and Wally Szczerbiak, each with 26 points. But Minnesota shot a mere 22 percent from the field in the final period to fall to 5-14 against Washington. "I'd like to say I'm surprised, but we've been here too many times," said Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders. "Their bench was definitely more aggressive, and when you don't shoot very well, you give up too many opportunities." Minnesota had won seven of its last eight, but had fallen in seven of its last eight vs. Washington. Early on, the Wizards set the stage for another upset. Washington led by as many as five points on two separate occasions in the first quarter on the strength of seven points by Richmond. It was not until the final minute of the opening period that the Wolves took their first lead. Minnesota also had to rally to lead by five at the break. The Timberwolves were paced by Anthony Peeler's eight-point second quarter and Garnett's 14-point first half. Minnesota led by as many as 10 in the third quarter, as Szczerbiak, a rookie, went 5-for-5 from the field and had 12 points in the period. But he was 0-1 from the field in the final quarter and finished with just two points (both on free throws) down the stretch. Minnesota pulled within two in the final 20 seconds and set up a drive to the basket. But Anthony Peeler's attempt missed and Washington's Richmond hit two free throws to seal the win. "We were looking for Kevin (Garnett)," said Szczerbiak of the final shot. "But A.P. was open and made a nice play. I thought he was fouled. "But when you're down by 10 with three minutes to play, you have to be flawless. We were almost flawless, but it wasn't enough."
Game notes | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Washington Clubhouse Minnesota Clubhouse RECAPS Indiana 90 Denver 89
Washington 90
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