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Sunday March 26th,
3:30PM EST
TV:MSG, NBALP
Radio:ESPN 1050
Online Radio: The Game Live
Garnett, Timberwolves look for third straight home win
Prview: New York (19-49) at Minnesota (28-41) 3:30 pm EST
MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Superstar Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves look to complete a season sweep of the slumping New York Knicks when the teams square off Sunday.
In a 97-77 loss at Toronto on Friday, Garnett contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds and Mark Blount scored 13 points as the Timberwolves dropped their 10th straight road game. They couldn't find their touch from the outside, connecting on just 4-of-19 shots from 3-point range.
Minnesota returns to the Target Center as it hopes to collect its sixth win in seven home games, including a current two-game winning streak. With the playoffs basically out of reach, the Timberwolves look to improve on their 8-4 record against Eastern Conferences foes.
Eddy Curry had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Steve Francis added 11 points and seven assists for New York, which dropped its fourth game in a row with a 91-75 loss to Memphis on Friday. The Knicks continued their dreadful season, allowing 31 points off 20 turnovers and finishing with only two players in double figures.
Coach Larry Brown, who has not missed the playoffs since falling short during the 1997-98 campaign with Philadelphia, could be eliminated from the postseason with a loss.
Garnett posted 24 points and 16 rebounds in a 96-90 triumph at Madison Square Garden on January 16. Stephon Marbury was the lone bright spot for the Knicks, scoring 20 points against his former team before leaving with a shoulder injury late in the fourth quarter.
FINAL SCORE
Knicks - 94
Wolves - 98
boxscore
Wolves Win Despite Knicks’ Comeback
Recap:MINNEAPOLIS, March 26 (Ticker) -- For the second straight home game, the Minnesota Timberwolves built a huge lead and almost gave it away.
Kevin Garnett collected 26 points and 15 rebounds as the Timberwolves held on for a 98-94 victory over the New York Knicks, who staged an impressive fourth-quarter rally, but suffered their fifth straight loss.
Minnesota has won six of its last seven games at the Target Center, but the last two have seen the team allow a blowout to become a nail-biter.
On Tuesday, the Timberwolves held a 17-point advantage heading into the final period before holding on for a 100-96 triumph over Miami. Sunday's affair had a similar pattern, although the Knicks are nowhere near the Heat's caliber.
Minnesota moved ahead midway through the first quarter as it broke open a three-point game with a 19-6 charge. The surge continued in the second quarter as the lead increased to as much as 55-30.
Ricky Davis and rookie Rashad McCants, who scored 21 and 17 points, respectively, helped the Timberwolves take an 80-61 advantage into the final 12 minutes.
The Knicks chipped away at their deficit behind reserve Jamal Crawford, who scored 13 of his 20 points in the final period.
Crawford and former Timberwolf Stephon Marbury each scored five points during a 15-3 charge capped by Marbury's layup with 9.2 seconds left that made it 94-92.
Marcus Banks split a pair of free throws for Minnesota, which made just 7-of-12 at the line in the final period. Jackie Butler's two free throws made it a one-point game with 6.8 ticks remaining.
The Knicks had a chance to tie after Davis went 1-of-2 from the line, but Butler was stripped by Anthony Carter, and Marco Jaric sealed the victory with two free throws.
Steve Francis scored 15 points and Marbury and Eddy Curry added 12 apiece for New York (19-50), which owns the second-worst record in the league.
