Garnett Stops McGrady in Timberwolves’ Win

Kevin Garnett recorded his seventh career triple-double and shut down Tracy McGrady.

Garnett had 23 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves handed the Orlando Magic its first loss of the season, 111-105, Friday night at Minneapolis.

Guarded mostly by Garnett, McGrady struggled with his shooting touch all night. McGrady, who scored 31 and 24 points in Orlando’s first two games -- victories over Philadelphia and Miami -- went six for 15 for 18 points, 14 in the second half.

“That’s the best I’ve ever been defended,” McGrady said. “Ever.”

Garnett’s long 7-foot frame forced Orlando’s leading scorer to alter his shots several times.

“It was great team defense,” Garnett said. “I just tried to keep a hand in his face.”

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New Jersey 102, Indiana 91 -- In their first meeting since the Nets’ double-overtime win in the deciding Game 5 of the first round of last season’s playoffs, New Jersey defeated Indiana at East Rutherford, N.J., in a game that included the ejection of three players, including Jason Kidd.

Richard Jefferson led five Nets in double figures with 19 points. Dikembe Mutombo had 14, Kenyon Martin and Rodney Rogers had 11 and Lucious Harris had 10.

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Philadelphia 98, New York 86 -- Allen Iverson scored 35 points despite another poor shooting performance and the 76ers overcame a 17-point third-quarter deficit at Philadelphia.

Iverson, who missed 17 of 23 shots in the first three quarters, made his first six shots of the fourth quarter and finished 12 for 30. The three-time NBA scoring champion had 15 points in the fourth quarter.

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San Antonio 91, Toronto 72 -- Tim Duncan had 22 points and 15 rebounds and the Spurs held the Raptors to an NBA record-tying six points in the fourth quarter.

The six points were a franchise low and tied the NBA record for fewest points in a fourth quarter set three times, most recently by Memphis against Phoenix last season.

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Houston 83, Denver 74 -- Cuttino Mobley scored 12 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and Yao Ming had his first NBA basket as the Rockets won at Denver.

Yao, who was scoreless in his debut Wednesday, entered with 3:44 left in the first quarter. Yao got his first points with an 11-foot turnaround jumper with 10:41 left in the second. He finished with two points and seven rebounds in 13 minutes.

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Chicago 84, New Orleans 79 -- Jalen Rose scored 21 points and Donyell Marshall had 15 points and 12 rebounds at Chicago. It’s the first time since 1996-97 that the Bulls have won their first two games, and they’re above .500 for the first time since 1998.

Phoenix 78, Cleveland 74 -- Shawn Marion had 21 points and 16 rebounds as the Suns overcame an awful shooting night to win at Phoenix.

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Detroit 109, Memphis 86 -- Richard Hamilton scored 23 points and Chauncey Billups had 15 to lead the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

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Seattle 106, Golden State 93 -- Gary Payton had 26 points and 10 assists to lead the SuperSonics at Oakland.

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Wally Szczerbiak agreed to a six-year, $63-million contract extension with the Timberwolves that could keep him in Minnesota through the 2008-09 season.... NBA owners approved an agreement with Charlotte to build an arena if the city is awarded an expansion team.