Minnesota Survives Another Slow Start

The Minnesota Timberwolves want to end their trend of falling behind early, even though it has not hurt them lately.

Kevin Garnett had 32 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to help rally the Timberwolves from an 18-point deficit for their biggest comeback of the season, a 106-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday at Minneapolis.

Minnesota, which has won eight times when trailing by 10 points or more this season, is 6-1 over the last three weeks when trailing after three quarters.

“It’s not OK,” Garnett said.

The Timberwolves, who won their 12th in a row at home, are 24-5 since the beginning of December.

“You’re not always going to be able to climb out of a hole when you do that,” said Latrell Sprewell, who had 21 points. “We have to understand teams are going to come ready to play us.”

Allen Iverson scored 28 points, and Glenn Robinson had 27 for the 76ers, who are 3-9 since their last two-game winning streak and desperately needing some momentum if they want to make the playoffs.

“That’s embarrassing,” said Iverson, who has 59 points in two games since a two-game absence because of a sprained finger. “To have an 18-point lead, to have them down the way we did, as professionals, we’ve got to take care of that.”

Garnett scored eight points, and Sam Cassell had nine of his 29 to account for all of Minnesota’s scoring in the last five minutes.

“We find a way to win, man,” Cassell said. “That’s the key. To beat us, you’ve got to beat us for 48 minutes. Not 24 or 36.”

Cleveland 104, Washington 100 -- LeBron James scored a career-high 38 points at Washington, and the Cavaliers earned their 18th victory, surpassing their victory total from last season.

James’ previous high had been 37 points.

Rookie Jarvis Hayes led the Wizards with 20 points. Jerry Stackhouse, playing his first game since Oct. 21 knee surgery, had 13 points on five-for-14 shooting.