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Tuesday, Dec. 12 7:30pm ET
No slump for Nets as they win by 20

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Stephon Marbury picked the perfect time to return to the New Jersey Nets' lineup.

Marbury, who missed four games with a sprained ankle, scored 27 points against his former team as the Nets beat Minnesota 116-94 Tuesday night and snapped the Timberwolves' four-game winning streak.

"We played hard, we played smart and we played aggressive," Marbury said. "The guys were happy I was playing and I was happy to be playing.

"They accepted the challenge. They know how much it means to me to beat these guys."

Nets coach Byron Scott said the game showed Marbury's value with the Nets.

"Obviously, having Stephon was a boost to the team," Scott said. "He was definitely ready to play. It just goes to show you how important he is to this team and this franchise.

"He was really motivated tonight because, No. 1, we were playing Minnesota and, No. 2, he hadn't played in a while," Scott said.

The Nets, who had lost 10 of their past 11, including three of four in Marbury's absence, never trailed.

Marbury, who played just three quarters, was energized in the first period. He hit seven of his first eight shots, scoring 16 points and adding four assists as the Nets jumped out to a 36-24 lead.

The Timberwolves scored the first six points of the second quarter, and cut their deficit to 36-30. The Nets countered with a 13-5 burst that included four points by Marbury, for a 58-46 lead at the intermission.

"I did not see this coming," said Timberwolves' coach Flip Saunders, whose club was coming off a 96-91 victory over Philadelphia on Monday night. "The one thing we have not done well are back-to-backs.

"He (Stephon) knows the way I feel about him," Saunders said. "The respect I have for him because he has the ability to go out and dominate a game."

Wally Szczerbiak opened the third quarter with a dunk, pulling the Timberwolves to 10 points, 58-48. The Nets went on a 19-6 run and opened a 77-54 lead with 6:07 remaining.

Marbury was the catalyst, scoring seven in the spurt, including a spectacular alley-oop reverse dunk that gave New Jersey a 23-point lead and brought a gasp of amazement from the crowd.

"I wasn't amazed," Marbury said with a chuckle. "But I couldn't believe that I caught it and dunk it. I thought I was too far away and didn't think I was high enough. But I got it."

Kenyon Martin scored 20 points, Jackson, who threw the pass on Marbury's dunk, and Sherman Douglas each added 14. Aaron Williams added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Kevin Garnett had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.

Game notes
Kendall Gill missed his fourth consecutive game for the Nets with tendinitis in the right knee. ... Nets coach Byron Scott says he wants to see Gill practice before he can predict when he will return. ... Scott also said he doesn't expect to see Keith Van Horn in the lineup until January. ... The two teams split their series last season with each winning at home. ... Marbury averaged 33 points in those two games against his former teammates while Garrett averaged 32.5.
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

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New Jersey Clubhouse


RECAPS
Toronto 104
Indiana 90

Cleveland 92
Dallas 87

New Jersey 116
Minnesota 94

Atlanta 107
Sacramento 99

Miami 96
Denver 85

Seattle 97
Orlando 92

Portland 101
Golden State 93

Milwaukee 109
LA Lakers 105

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