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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Toronto Raptors figured they just ran out
of time. The Minnesota Timberwolves were glad for that after
another near meltdown.
"It was very similar to our last few games," said Minnesota
coach Flip Saunders. "Excellent for three quarters and then we
struggle in the fourth."
|  | | The Raptors' Antonio Davis fouls Kevin Garnett, right, as Garnett goes up for a shot in the first quarter. Garnett had 22 points. |
But this time, the end result was better.
Terrell Brandon scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett added 22 as
the Timberwolves beat the Raptors 100-97 Tuesday night to snap a
four-game losing streak.
"If we could get the league to start playing three quarters, we
might have the best record in the league," Saunders said. "But,
unfortunately, they want us to play those last 12 minutes."
Toronto, which trailed by double figures for most of the game,
closed within three points with 8.1 seconds to play on a slam by
Vince Carter. But Brandon hit a free throw to give Minnesota a
four-point lead.
"We needed three more minutes," Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens
said with a laugh. "The energy came a little too late.
"The only satisfaction is that the group at the end played with
enthusiasm, scrambled and switched, and we finally made some
shots."
Carter scored 32 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota led by 13 after three quarters. Toronto rookie Morris
Peterson scored the first five points of the fourth quarter.
Minnesota built its lead to 12 points with 10 minutes remaining
before Peterson hit a 3-pointer, and followed a Minnesota
turnover with a slam dunk to pull the Raptors within seven points.
Minnesota, which had let six double-digit leads slip away this
season, seemed poised for another fourth quarter collapse. But
Brandon hit a 3-pointer with six minutes remaining and boosted the
Timberwolves' lead back to 10 points.
The Timberwolves were 18-for-22 at the free-throw line for the
game.
Toronto sprinted to a four-point lead in the opening minutes
before the Timberwolves stormed back.
Late in the first quarter, Garnett swatted away a jumper by
Carter, bringing the crowd to its feet. The play ignited a 17-3 run
that gave the Timberwolves a 15-point lead.
Toronto's Alvin Williams keyed an 8-0 run that kept the Raptors
in the game. Minnesota called a timeout, regrouped and built an
11-point lead at the break.
Carter hit a 3-pointer late in the third quarter to pull the
Raptors within nine points at 69-60, but Garnett responded with
four free throws and an alley-oop slam to boost Minnesota's lead to
15.
"Carter scored 32, but it took him 31 shots to do it,"
Saunders said. "You don't want Vince to get 32 in 20 shots, so the
thing that we did was limit his touches and make him take a lot of
tough shots to score a lot of points. We did a fairly decent job,
if you can say holding a guy to 32 is a decent job."
Toronto's Charles Oakley had 10 points and 14 rebounds for his
10th double-double of the season.
Game notes
Raptors reserve forward Tyrone Corbin is one of three
active players who were members of the inaugural season Minnesota
Timberwolves team in 1989-90. Vancouver's Doug West and Minnesota's
Sam Mitchell are the others. ... The Raptors are the NBA's only
team to have a player among the league's top 10 individual leaders
in points (Carter), rebounds (Antonio Davis) and assists
(Mark Jackson). ... Minnesota has not lost a home game to either of
the NBA's Canadian teams, going a cumulative 16-0 against Vancouver
(11-0) and Toronto (5-0).
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Toronto Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
Charlotte 115
Cleveland 110
Detroit 101
Boston 96
Atlanta 81
New Jersey 76
Dallas 114
Seattle 93
Milwaukee 89
Orlando 77
Minnesota 100
Toronto 97
San Antonio 103
Houston 95
Denver 109
LA Clippers 108
Philadelphia 97
Utah 91
Phoenix 97
Vancouver 95
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Flip Saunders feels good about his team's play through 3 quarters.
wav: 228 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Vince Carter Official Site
Mark Jackson Official Site
Lenny Wilkens Official Site
Kevin Garnett Official Site
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