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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
PHOENIX (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves did more than survive
an off night by Kevin Garnett. They thrived, thanks to Anthony
Peeler and Terrell Brandon.
Peeler had a season-high 28 points and a career-high 10
rebounds, and Brandon had 19 points and six steals as the
Timberwolves spoiled Penny Hardaway's return to the Suns lineup
with a 108-88 rout Sunday night.
|  | | Anfernee Hardaway had nine points, three rebounds and three assists in his first game since knee surgery last May. |
Minnesota shot 52 percent, a season-high for Phoenix opponents,
to break a four-game road losing streak. It was the Timberwolves'
first win in Phoenix in five games.
"I don't know what other than we absolutely did not show up,"
Suns coach Scott Skiles said. "When we look at the videotape
tomorrow, if anybody can look at that and say they played hard, they're kidding themselves."
Garnett, who almost always struggles against the defense of the
Suns' Cliff Robinson, barely kept his string of double-digit
scoring games alive at 245 with 11 points.
Garnett was 5-for-17 from the field. His last basket, a
22-footer, came with 2:13 to play, then he left the game. He did
have seven assists and nine rebounds.
"He got everybody else involved," Minnesota coach Flip
Saunders said. "Peeler had a great game and I think this was the
best game I've seen Terrell play. He was so active."
Brandon said that good teammates pick up the slack when the star
has an off night.
"If someone's struggle, then someone else has his back,"
Brandon said. "You know I've struggled, and I hope someone's got
my back."
The Timberwolves are 7-0 when Peeler starts.
"I just try to go out there and raise the energy no matter
what," Peeler said, "and when I start, it seems like I just bring
it a little bit earlier."
The Suns' second-year forward Shawn Marion went down with an
injured right knee with 8:11 to play and had to be helped to the
locker room. Doctors said the initial exam showed no ligament
damage, but Marion was to undergo an MRI exam Monday.
Hardaway, who had missed the first 31 games while recovering
from surgery on his right knee, was 4-for-10 shooting for nine
points with three rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes.
"I don't think they expected a lot from me, but I expected a
lot from myself," Hardaway said. "When I got out there I was more
fatigued than I thought I'd be. ... I look down there and see I
played 24 minutes and it felt like 70."
Jason Kidd scored 20 points for Phoenix but committed 10
turnovers. Tony Delk scored 17. Rookie Jake Tsakalidis has his
second consecutive 10-point game and had eight rebounds.
Minnesota led 48-40 at halftime, then blew the game open in the
third quarter.
Wally Szczerbiak's basket on a goaltending call capped a 20-4
run that put the Timberwolves ahead 78-55 with 1:17 left in the
quarter. Minnesota outscored Phoenix 35-21 in the third quarter to
lead 83-61.
The Suns got no closer than 14 in the fourth.
Garnett, who shot just 33 percent from the field and averaged
14.3 points against the Suns last season, was 1-for-9 in the first
half.
But the Timberwolves, with Anthony Peeler scoring 19, still led
48-40 at the break.
Peeler scored 11 in a 17-7 run that put Minnesota up 48-37 with
31.8 seconds left in the half.
Game notes
Hardaway made his first shot, a short jumper on a drive
into the lane. ... The Suns are 32-13 with Kidd and Hardaway in the
lineup. ... Minnesota activated former Suns player Todd Day and
placed Sam Jacobson on the injured list (patella tendinitis in his
right knee). ... The two U.S. Olympians on the floor had a rough
first quarter -- Garnett was 1-for-8 and Kidd committed four
turnovers. ... Minnesota's backcourt of Peeler and Brandon
outscored the Suns' duo of Kidd and Hardaway 47-29.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Minnesota Clubhouse
Phoenix Clubhouse
Suns' Hardaway says charge 'likely will be dropped
RECAPS
Toronto 94
Seattle 92
Vancouver 120
Milwaukee 117
New York 103
Washington 87
Minnesota 108
Phoenix 88
Denver 94
Charlotte 87
LA Clippers 118
LA Lakers 95
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Minnesota's Kevin Garnett gets stuck as he drives to the hoop.
avi: 604 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Kevin Garnett Official Site
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