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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – With the Minnesota Timberwolves' season on
the line, Kevin Garnett figures it's time to take over.
Garnett had 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists Sunday,
helping the Timberwolves overcome a sluggish start for a 91-76
victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"What I'm trying to do is tell myself, 'This is it,' " Garnett
said. "I have all summer to sleep and chill. I'm trying to win
right now."
Garnett has averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds over the last 11
games.
"He's been through this time of year, and he knows there's a
sense of urgency," Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said. "That's
when he takes his game to another level."
Saunders challenged his team to play better defense in the
second half, with the teams 47-47 at halftime. Minnesota responded
by outscoring Cleveland 30-14 in the third quarter and limiting
them to 4-of-16 field goals.
The Wolves were 0-for-6 from 3-point range in the first half and
trailed by as many as eight points. They hit all four of their
3-pointers in the third quarter.
"The second half was an example that we need to be a lot more
aggressive," Garnett said. "In the first half, we were not
aggressive at all. They took the ball right to the basket against
us."
The Wolves also got 17 points from Terrell Brandon and 13 points
and 12 rebounds from reserve LaPhonso Ellis.
"We were swarming around and we got our hands on quite a few
balls," Ellis said. "Once we forced them to take the outside
shot, the percentages say they're not going to make as many of
those."
Minnesota opened the second half with a 13-4 run to lead 60-51.
The Cavaliers cut the deficit to 60-57 but Anthony Peeler hit his
second 3-pointer of the quarter to put the Wolves up 65-57. Ellis
made a 3 at the buzzer to give Minnesota a 77-61 lead.
"I'm disappointed that after the way we played in the first
half, that we didn't come out with more energy in the second
half," Cleveland coach Randy Wittman said.
The Cavs were within 82-65 and had Chris Mihm at the line with
9:08 to play. But Mihm missed both free throws, and Chauncey
Billups hit a 3-pointer to extend Minnesota's lead to 20 points.
Wesley Person led Cleveland with 13 points.
Minnesota moved a game ahead of idle Houston for the eighth and
final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Wolves are in a
virtual tie with Phoenix for seventh place.
"I think they're going to be a dangerous team," Wittman said
of the Wolves, for whom he worked as an assistant before taking the
Cleveland job last season. "This is a team that shoots the ball so
well and shares the ball. If you have guys willing to move and
share the ball, that's always a dangerous combination when you get
into the playoffs."
Game notes
Minnesota has won five in a row at home. ... The Cavaliers
are 8-25 on the road, 16-17 at home. ... Saunders has won all four
games against Wittman, his former assistant Wittman.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Cleveland Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
LA Lakers 95
Orlando 90
Indiana 101
Sacramento 95
Minnesota 91
Cleveland 76
Milwaukee 100
Detroit 96
Seattle 104
Golden State 99
Utah 111
LA Clippers 96
Denver 98
New Jersey 84
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