Garnett Is Shut Down by Suns in 101-85 Loss

As goes Kevin Garnett, so go the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Thursday night Garnett was awful.

For 176 consecutive games, he has scored in double figures, the longest current streak in the NBA, but it almost ended at Phoenix.

Hounded by a tight, double-teaming defense led by Cliff Robinson, Garnett was just five for 21 from the field for a season-low 10 points as the Suns handed the Timberwolves their second blowout loss in as many nights, 101-85.

“It’s a terrible way to go into the break,” Garnett said. “The best thing is, tomorrow’s another day.”

Garnett didn’t reach double figures until 5:05 remained in the game and left for good shortly thereafter.

The Suns, who have won three in a row and six of seven going into the All-Star break, had six players in double figures, including all five starters.

The Timberwolves, beaten by the Lakers by 31 points Wednesday night, were down in a hurry against Phoenix.

The Suns used a second-quarter blitz to build a 22-point lead and were up 59-39 at the half. The Suns outscored the Timberwolves, 30-6, during an 8 1/2-minute span in the first half.

Sacramento 96, Denver 84--Chris Webber had 22 points and 14 rebounds as the Kings pulled away in the second half at Sacramento.

Nick Anderson scored 13 of his 20 points in the second half as the Kings won for the 11th time in 12 home games.

The Nuggets, playing without injured point guard Nick Van Exel, lost their fifth straight game and 10th straight on the road.

Around the League

An injured knee forced Golden State’s Antawn Jamison to withdraw from the All-Star game’s slam-dunk contest and rookie game. Ricky Davis of Charlotte will replace Jamison in the dunk contest, and Cuttino Mobley of Houston was added to the rookie game.