Peeler Overshadows Payton at Minnesota

Gary Payton made the big shots early but Minnesota’s Anthony Peeler made the most important shots late.

Peeler made a game-tying three-point basket with 16.3 seconds left in regulation, then made two more three-pointers in overtime Sunday as the Timberwolves defeated the SuperSonics, 119-111, at Minneapolis.

Peeler finished with 24 points as the Timberwolves rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and overcame a career-high 44 points by Payton.

Payton played all 53 minutes, shot 18 of 30 from the field and had nine assists and seven rebounds.

“We can’t give up games like this,” Payton said. “This is a game we gave up to them. This hurts us more than it benefits them.”

Minnesota is eighth in the Western Conference at 36-24. Seattle is five games behind the Timberwolves for eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

“It was a devastating loss for us,” the SuperSonics’ Vin Baker said.

Toronto 98, New York 88--Vince Carter scored 25 points at Toronto and the Raptors won their fifth consecutive game.

The teams met for the first time since exchanging point guards at the Feb. 22 trade deadline. Toronto’s Chris Childs had 12 points, three assists and two turnovers. Mark Jackson had four points, three assists and two turnovers for New York. Jackson also did not play in the fourth quarter.

Miami 91, Cleveland 79--Anthony Mason scored 23 points to lead the Heat, which used a 10-0 run midway through the third quarter to take command at Cleveland.

Detroit 93, Orlando 84--Jerry Stackhouse scored 26 points, and Corliss Williamson added 22 and 16 rebounds at Auburn Hills, Mich. to help the Pistons end a four-game losing streak. Tracy McGrady led the Magic with 25 points.

Utah 118, Washington 98--Donyell Marshall’s had 19 points and John Stockton had 12 assists for the Jazz at Washington.

Mike Smith--the first draft pick of Michael Jordan, the Wizards’ president of basketball operations--made his debut after spending nearly the entire season on the injured list because of tendinitis in the knee. Smith score 11 points.

Charlotte 116, Boston 97--Jamal Mashburn scored 27 points and Baron Davis added 24 to help end the Celtics seven-game winning streak at Boston.

David Wesley scored 22 points and had eight assists for the Hornets, who won their seventh consecutive game and ninth in the last 10.

New Jersey 120, Indiana 96--Stephon Marbury scored 25 points to lead five Net players in double figures at Indianapolis in helping end an 11-game road losing streak.

Around the League

New York activated center Travis Knight and put guard Rick Brunson on the injured list. . . . Seattle guard Brent Barry did not suit up against Minnesota because of a strained left groin.