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  Tuesday, Mar. 14 9:00pm ET
Phoenix 107, Minnesota 100
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

PHOENIX (AP) _ Penny Hardaway scored a game-high 26 points and the Phoenix Suns hit 24 fourth-quarter free throws to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-100 Tuesday night.

Hardaway was 12-for-12 from the line for the Suns, who won for the sixth time in seven games and kept pace with San Antonio in the Western Conference playoff race.

Phoenix trails the Spurs by a half-game for fourth place and home-court advantage in the first round.

The Suns were a season-high 43-of-49 from the free-throw line, including 24-of-27 in the fourth quarter. Three Timberwolves fouled out as Minnesota was whistled for 34 fouls, 16 in the final period.

Cliff Robinson added 24 points, five capping a 9-0 run that gave the Suns their first lead since midway through the first quarter. Rodney Rogers had 16 points for Phoenix.

Terrell Brandon led the Timberwolves with 18 points, but was held scoreless over the final 21 minutes. Kevin Garnett missed 10 of his first 13 shots and finished with 17 points.

Malik Sealy and Wally Szczerbiak each had 13 for Minnesota, which saw its franchise-record five-game road winning streak end.

The Suns went more than three minutes without a field goal midway through the fourth quarter, but converted 11 straight free throws to take control.

Robinson was fouled by Szczerbiak while shooting a 3-pointer and hit all three free throws to give Phoenix an 86-82 lead with 6:01 left. Szczerbiak made consecutive baskets to tie the game, but the Suns went on a 10-0 run _ all but two coming from the free-throw line _ to take a 96-86 lead with 2:42 left.

Phoenix shot 40.9 percent from the floor in the first half, but trailed only 51-47 with the help of some uncharacteristically sloppy play by the Timberwolves.

Minnesota, which entered the game averaging an NBA-low 13.8 turnovers per game, gave the ball away 10 times in each half.

Anthony Peeler converted a three-point play as Minnesota stretched its lead to 58-53 with 8:54 left in the third quarter. Robinson rallied the Suns, scoring off a tip-in and adding a 3-pointer as Phoenix took a 62-58 lead with 6:50 remaining.

Robinson's 3-pointer was one of only two for the Suns on 13 attempts.

Notes: The Suns have won 11 of their last 12 home games. ... Phoenix, which won the first 25 meetings between the teams and 27 of the first 28, beat Minnesota for just the sixth time in the last 14 games. ... Garnett has averaged 14.3 points (19-for-58), 8.7 below his season average, in the Timberwolves' three games against Phoenix this season. ... Suns guard Rex Chapman (back spasms) did not dress. Chapman has missed 10 games this season through injury or suspension. ... Timberwolves forward Sam Mitchell missed his 13th straight game with a sprained left ankle.

 


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NBA Scoreboard

Minnesota Clubhouse

Phoenix Clubhouse


RECAPS
Toronto 85
Golden State 78

Philadelphia 98
Cleveland 97

Miami 108
Milwaukee 104

Orlando 107
Washington 98

New York 91
Houston 85

Dallas 111
Indiana 90

San Antonio 94
Atlanta 79

Phoenix 107
Minnesota 100

LA Clippers 110
Denver 106

Portland 96
Sacramento 91