Timberwolves Shrug Off Gugliotta’s Return

The hoopla surrounding Tom Gugliotta’s return to Target Center didn’t faze the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Sam Mitchell scored a season-high 25 points as the Timberwolves held off the Phoenix Suns for a crucial 97-92 victory Wednesday night at Minneapolis.

Minnesota (23-23) moved into a tie for seventh place in the Western Conference with idle Sacramento by winning for only the third time in 13 games. Phoenix (24-22) is in sixth place, one game ahead of the Timberwolves and Kings.

“All day long I knew this was a big game, but I wasn’t even thinking about scoring,” Mitchell said. “I was mainly thinking about defending Cliff Robinson. He torched us last game.”

Jason Kidd led the Suns with 29 points and 11 assists.

Gugliotta, a former all-star for Minnesota who signed with Phoenix in the off-season, had nine points and 12 rebounds.

He was booed every time he touched the ball.

“The Minnesota crowd is very loyal to their team and I’m not on their team, so they booed me,” said Gugliotta, who didn’t play at Minnesota on April 7 because of a hyperextended right knee. “It’s fun to me. It’s something I expected.”

Terrell Brandon celebrated a return of his own by scoring 16 points and tying a career high with 16 assists.

He was playing his first home game since injuring his thigh April 5.

Portland 119, Seattle 84--Damon Stoudamire scored a season-high 31 points and the Trail Blazers used a 44-point third quarter to rout the SuperSonics at Portland, Ore.

Stoudamire scored 17 in the third quarter. Walt Williams had 11 of his 20 points in the period, and the Trail Blazers made all 12 of their free throws.

Detlef Schrempf and Dale Ellis each had 13 points for the SuperSonics. The loss clinched a playoff spot for the Lakers.

Atlanta 76, New York 73--The Hawks moved into first place at Atlanta on the same night they took part in a bit of NBA scoring infamy.

Atlanta and New York combined for 10 points in the third quarter, the lowest-scoring third quarter in league history.

Steve Smith sealed the victory by making seven free throws in the final 10 seconds, and the Hawks survived despite shooting only 31% from the field and managing only five assists.

Atlanta pulled even with Indiana for the Central Division lead with its seventh victory in a row.

Orlando 93, Washington 86--Darrell Armstrong flourished in a starting role for the second straight game, scoring 27 points to lead the Magic at Orlando, Fla.

Armstrong has been forced into a starting role because of injuries.

He made seven of 11 shots from the field and made 10 free throws against Washington, which lost its seventh straight.

Detroit 101, New Jersey 93--Jerome Williams had 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds to lead the surging Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

After losing six of seven, the Pistons have won three in a row to solidify their playoff position.

Detroit moved within a half-game of idle Philadelphia for fifth place in the East.

Grant Hill led Detroit with 25 points, and Jerry Stackhouse added 18 off the bench. Kendall Gill scored 22 points for the Nets, and Stephon Marbury added 21 and 12 assists.

Milwaukee 115, Toronto 102--Tim Thomas matched a season high with 21 points at Milwaukee and the Bucks clinched their first winning season since 1990-91.

Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson each scored 18 points for Milwaukee.

Toronto lost its third straight, despite a season-high 29 points--including nine three-point baskets--from Dee Brown. John Wallace added 21 points and Vince Carter scored 20.