Garnett the Highlight in Timberwolves’ Win

Against a double team with 24 seconds left and with Marcus Camby right in his face, Kevin Garnett spun in the paint, soared so high he seemed to hang in the air several seconds and then dropped the ball softly into the basket to lead the Timberwolves to a 93-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday at Minneapolis.

Garnett said he wanted to see the shot on highlight shows--not out of vanity but because he honestly couldn’t remember it.

“I’m sorry, I can’t walk you through it,” Garnett said after scoring a career-high 35 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter. “I was just reacting to the defense.”

The stunning, spinning basket was certainly etched in Camby’s memory.

“He just held on it for a long time and released it coming down and it went in,” Camby said, still shaking his head in disbelief 20 minutes later.

Garnett, who set his previous career high on Friday night with 34 points against Sacramento, then sealed the victory by swatting away Camby’s shot in the paint with five seconds left before Latrell Sprewell missed a desperation three-point attempt.

Aside from rookie Wally Szczerbiak (23 points), the Timberwolves, who began their season with a two-game series against Sacramento at Japan, were lethargic from the start before Garnett turned it on in the final quarter.

Miami 128, Dallas 105--Jamal Mashburn, a former first-round pick of the Mavericks, scored 34 points at Miami and the Heat beat Dallas for the 15th consecutive time.

Miami, which has won three in a row overall, has not lost to Dallas since a 114-110 defeat Dec. 10, 1991, at Reunion Arena.

The 128 points were the most by the Heat since they scored 129 against Detroit on April 23, 1995, in the regular-season finale.

The Mavericks, who have lost three in a row, got a season-high 23 points from Dirk Nowitzki.

Indiana 116, Orlando 101--Reggie Miller scored 21 points and reserve Al Harrington had 17 of his career-high 19 points in the fourth period to lead the Pacers at Indianapolis.

The Pacers broke open a close game in the second half, shooting 67% from the field. For the game, Indiana shot a season-high 57%.

Darrell Armstrong led Orlando with 22 points, while Indiana had six players finish in double figures.

Seattle 109, Cleveland 103--Gary Payton had 27 points and nine assists and Vin Baker scored 24 for the SuperSonics at Cleveland.

Payton, who needed medical treatment for a tight back at halftime, scored 12 points in the third quarter and hit a key jumper in the final three minutes as the SuperSonics held off a Cleveland rally.

Payton was late coming out to the floor for the second half after getting an electrical treatment for his back, and Shammond Williams started for him. Once Payton checked in, he scored six consecutive points in a 9-0 run as Seattle took control.

Toronto 123, Detroit 106--Doug Christie scored 24 points and Vince Carter added 22 points and 11 rebounds at Auburn Hills, Mich., as the Raptors won their fourth consecutive game.

Christie and Carter were among seven Raptors in double figures. Kevin Willis (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Antonio Davis (10 points, 11 rebounds) also had double-doubles.

Around the League

Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has decided not to have surgery on the left foot he broke in February, hoping instead that two months’ rest will allow him to return this season. . . . Forward Leon Smith, a first-round draft choice, was put on the injured-reserve list by Dallas because of a back problem. Bruno Sundov was activated to take Smith’s place. . . . The Utah Jazz activated forward Bakari Hendrix from the injured list and then waived him.