Timberwolves Close It Out Against Suns

For the first time in weeks, the Minnesota Timberwolves were pleased with their play in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Garnett had 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves to a 108-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night at Minneapolis. Chauncey Billups had 19 points and 11 assists for Minnesota. Wally Szczerbiak added 19 points.

Shawn Marion scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half for the Suns, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

Stephon Marbury started the game on the bench because of a sore left ankle, but contributed 23 points. Jake Voskuhl scored a career-high 20 for the Suns, whose reserves outscored their starters 61-43.

Trailing 106-102, the Suns closed the gap after Jake Tsakalidis tipped in a missed shot with 11.1 seconds left. Then, Marion stole Joe Smith’s inbounds pass and had a chance to tie the game. But Smith redeemed himself by blocking Marion’s shot and Billups was fouled after picking up the loose ball.

Billups made both free throws with 7.2 seconds left to seal the win.

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Portland 113, Golden State 86--Derek Anderson scored 19 points and Rasheed Wallace had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers at Portland, Ore.

Shawn Kemp had 14 points and 10 rebounds in a reserve role for the Trail Blazers, who remained one game behind fifth-place Minnesota in the Western Conference playoff race.

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Charlotte 93, Atlanta 86--Jamal Mashburn scored 25 points and the Hornets overcame a poor shooting performance by Baron Davis to defeat the Hawks at Atlanta.

P.J. Brown had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets, who have won eight of their last nine against Atlanta. Davis scored only five points on two-for-15 shooting.

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Washington 88, Memphis 85--Chris Whitney made two free throws with 13.4 seconds left at Washington, and Jason Williams missed two three-pointers--including a wide-open look from the baseline at the buzzer--as the Wizards ended a four-game losing streak.

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Cleveland 120, Chicago 101--Andre Miller had 23 points and 16 assists, leading the Cavaliers past the Bulls at Cleveland.

Miller had 14 points and four assists as the Cavaliers extended their lead to 29 points in the third quarter.