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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Seattle's Gary Payton hit the big shots
early. Minnesota's Anthony Peeler hit the bigger shots late.
Peeler hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 16.3 seconds left in
regulation, then hit two more 3-pointers in overtime as the
Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Seattle SuperSonics 119-111 Sunday.
|  | | Anthony Peeler and teammate Kevin Garnett congratulate each other after Minnesota's OT win over Seattle. Peeler finished with 24 points. |
Peeler finished with 24 points as the Timberwolves rallied from
a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and overcame a career-high
44 points by Payton.
"Gary was playing a great game at both ends," Peeler said.
"We wanted to make him play defense and try to tire him out, but
he never gives up."
Following two free throws by Payton that gave Seattle a 103-110
lead with 19.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Peeler tied
the game off a pass from Kevin Garnett.
"I don't have much trouble getting open," Peeler said. "The
hard part is hitting the shots. It's great that we have a leader
(Garnett) who's willing to pass the ball."
Payton had an open look at a potential game-winning jumper with
2 seconds left in regulation, but his shot hit the front of the rim
and the Sonics were unable to retrieve the loose ball.
Payton played all 53 minutes, shot 18-for-30 from the field and
had nine assists and seven rebounds.
Peeler's 3-pointer with 4:03 left in overtime gave Minnesota the
lead for good at 106-105. His second three of the extra period put
the Wolves up 115-107.
"We can't give up games like this," Payton said. "This is a
game we gave up to them. This hurts us more than it benefits
them."
Minnesota is eighth in the Western Conference at 36-24. Seattle
is five games behind the Wolves in the hunt for the final eighth
and final playoff spot.
"It was a devastating loss for us," the Sonics' Vin Baker
said.
The Wolves, who had not led since early in the third quarter,
took a 98-97 lead on LaPhonso Ellis' dunk with 1:53 to play. Wally
Szczerbiak had two 3-pointers during a 19-8 Minnesota run.
Szczerbiak scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and tied his
career high with 27.
During the run, newly acquired guard Felipe Lopez held Payton
without a point from the 6:51 mark until his two late free throws.
"It's my third game with the team and Coach (Flip Saunders)
says, 'Go guard Gary Payton'," Lopez said. "The coaches on this
team have a lot of confidence in all the players."
Garnett added 26 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists for
Minnesota.
Payton scored 22 points in the first half on 10-for-14 shooting,
helping the Sonics to a 55-54 lead at halftime.
After the Wolves scored the first basket of the second half,
Seattle went on a 16-8 run to take a 71-64 lead. Payton's layup
with 8:57 to play increased the lead to 87-77.
"They tried to trap Gary as much as possible, but that was just
a hell of an effort by a guy who played the entire game," Sonics
coach Nate McMillan said.
Game notes
Seattle rookie guard Desmond Mason had 17 rebounds. His
previous high was eight. ... The Sonics finished a five-game road
trip 2-3. Thirteen of their final 21 games are at home. Minnesota
finishes its season with 13 of 22 games on the road. ... Seattle
guard Brent Barry did not dress because of a strained left groin.
... Baker returned after missing one game with a bruised left hand
and scored 16 points.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
Garnett warned about Joe Smith comments
RECAPS
Toronto 98
New York 88
Charlotte 116
Boston 97
Detroit 93
Orlando 84
New Jersey 120
Indiana 96
Utah 118
Washington 98
Minnesota 119
Seattle 111
Miami 91
Cleveland 79
LA Lakers 110
Golden State 95
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