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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- There were two noticeably empty seats in the
Target Center on Saturday night.
Kevin Garnett had 23 points and nine rebounds as the
Timberwolves beat the Clippers 85-73 in Minnesota's first game
since owner Glen Taylor and vice president Kevin McHale both agreed
to stay away from the team until next summer.
"It was weird," Wally Szczerbiak said of the absences. "But
it's just business as usual. Flip (Saunders) is our head coach and
he's the one who you really have contact with during the season."
Szczerbiak had 19 points and 12 rebounds as Minnesota won its
third straight game -- all at home. Terrell Brandon added 15 points
and 10 assists.
"The main focus is: We had three games at home, and we got
three wins," Saunders said.
On Friday, Taylor accepted a suspension and McHale agreed to a
leave of absence as punishment for an illegal deal with former
Timberwolves player Joe Smith. In return, the NBA restored one of
Minnesota's five forfeited draft picks.
McHale and Taylor can't attend Minnesota games or practices, be
present in the team's offices, or be involved in personnel
decisions. McHale is out until July 31, Taylor a month longer.
They did not attend Saturday's game, but McHale addressed the
team earlier in the day.
"He told them he'd be watching," Saunders said. "And they can
imagine what he'd be saying."
Minnesota outhustled the Clippers, who turned the ball over 16
times and shot just 36 percent en route to their lowest point total
of the season. Los Angeles finished its nine-day road trip 1-5.
"We didn't have any firepower," Los Angeles coach Alvin Gentry
said. "I don't think we got into any kind of rhythm."
Michael Olowokandi had 10 points and 15 rebounds, Quentin
Richardson had 12 points and Corey Maggette added 11 for the
Clippers. Lamar Odom scored just nine points on 4-of-13 shooting.
The Clippers led 2-0 Saturday -- and never again.
"It's tough to fall behind in this league, especially being so
young," said Odom, who was back in the starting lineup for Los
Angeles after missing Friday night's game at Charlotte with food
poisoning. "In this league, teams are not going to let you come
back."
Minnesota put the game away with a 12-6 run to start the second
half. Szczerbiak had a fastbreak dunk, followed by a layup with
4:10 left to give the Timberwolves a 56-37 lead.
Los Angeles did not get closer than nine the rest of the way.
The Clippers shot 24 percent in the first quarter and scored
just 12 points, the lowest by a Minnesota opponent this season.
Garnett scored eight in the quarter as the Wolves took a 20-12
lead.
Minnesota extended its lead to 44-31 at halftime. Brandon
finished the half for the Timberwolves with a spinning, reverse
layup that resulted in a three-point play.
Game notes
Minnesota plays five of its next six games on the road. ...
Minnesota shot just 38 percent from the field and won for the first
time this season when shooting under 45 percent. ... The
Timberwolves have won 13 of their last 16 games against the
Clippers. ... The biography of rookie Darius Miles in the Clippers'
media guide says he "patterns his game after Timberwolves' star
Kevin Garnett." In the fourth quarter he glared at Garnett after
making a putback dunk. ... Los Angeles fell to 2-9 on the road.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
LA Clippers Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 99
Charlotte 96
Cleveland 97
Atlanta 90
New York 96
Denver 88
Minnesota 85
LA Clippers 73
Milwaukee 99
Washington 91
San Antonio 105
Chicago 81
Utah 125
Golden State 114
Portland 114
Detroit 83
Houston 111
Seattle 104
Philadelphia 83
Vancouver 79
 FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Kevin Garnett Official Site
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