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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- If these last two weeks have been
preparation for the playoffs, consider the Minnesota Timberwolves
ready.
|  | | Vlade Divac's 20 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists weren't enough to beat the Wolves. |
Terrell Brandon scored 30 points and made a big 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter Friday night as the Timberwolves edged the shorthanded Sacramento Kings 95-92.
The victory before a boisterous Arco Arena crowd gave Minnesota
a 2 1-2-game lead over seventh-place Sacramento in the Western
Conference playoff race. The sixth-place Timberwolves have won
three straight games and nine of their last 11 road games.
"We have the ability to execute down the stretch," Minnesota
coach Flip Saunders said. "When we get fouled, we make our free
throws. If we hang around long enough, we feel like we can win
games like this. That could make a huge difference once we get in
the playoffs."
Brandon made a 3-pointer with 1:10 remaining, giving Minnesota
an 88-83 lead. Sacramento pulled within two points, but Minnesota
made seven free throws in the final 24.6 seconds to maintain the
lead. The Timberwolvers converted 13-of-14 free throws in the
fourth quarter.
"Terrell hit some big shots when we needed them, some very big
shots," said Kevin Garnett, who had 21 points and 14 rebounds.
Wally Szczerbiak had 17 points and Malik Sealy had 11 for
Minnesota, which has four overtime wins in the past two weeks.
"I think part of the credit goes to the team's growth,"
Garnett said. "In the past we had teams that didn't always stay
together at the end. This team does."
Kings' All-Star forward Chris Webber missed his third straight
game with a strained left calf and starting guard Nick Anderson was
out with a sore left knee.
"We're tyring to adjust, but it's not that easy when you're
missing your top scorer and rebounder," said Predrag Stojakovic,
who missed two 3-pointers in the final minute that could have tied
the game.
Vlade Divac had 20 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Kings. Stojakovic had 19 points and Scot Pollard and Darrick Martin
had 11 each.
Martin ignited a 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter. He had
the final eight points, making a three-point play followed by two
free throws and a 3-pointer, putting the Kings ahead 77-71 with
7:36 remaining.
"I thought our guys played real hard, they really busted their
tails," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We had trouble all night
trying to find a way to score. They had two great offensive players
in Brandon and Garnett and those guys really seemed to take over in
the second half."
Brandon helped bring the Timberwolves back from a nine-point
halftime deficit. Making an assortment of jump shots, he scored 14
points in the third quarter, helping Minnesota outscore the Kings
33-20 and take a 71-67 lead into the final period.
Stojakovic scored 14 points and Delk had all 10 of his points in
the second quarter as the Kings took a 47-38 lead into halftime.
Stojakovic keyed a 12-2 run to close the second quarter, scoring
six points as the hustling Kings took control, holdiing Minnesota
to 13 points in the period.
Game notes
In the last 11 games, the Timberwolves have been involved
in four overtime games, winning all four. They are 6-1 this year in
OT contests. ... Kings reserve guard Jon Barry missed his sixth
straight game with a pinched nerve in his neck. He is expected to
return next week. ... The Timberwolves went over six minutes
without a field goal in the second quarter and committed seven
turnovers. ... Minnesota shot eight free throws in the first three
quarters and finished 18-of-22 from the line.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Minnesota Clubhouse
Sacramento Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 102
Boston 97
Toronto 104
Atlanta 84
Detroit 97
Charlotte 82
Miami 103
New Jersey 85
Indiana 95
Cleveland 94
New York 96
Orlando 89
Houston 119
Seattle 116
Utah 105
Golden State 84
Minnesota 95
Sacramento 92
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