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Sunday, Mar. 18 3:30pm ET
Garnett just misses triple-double

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – With the Minnesota Timberwolves' season on the line, Kevin Garnett figures it's time to take over.

Garnett had 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists Sunday, helping the Timberwolves overcome a sluggish start for a 91-76 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"What I'm trying to do is tell myself, 'This is it,' " Garnett said. "I have all summer to sleep and chill. I'm trying to win right now."

Garnett has averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds over the last 11 games.

"He's been through this time of year, and he knows there's a sense of urgency," Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said. "That's when he takes his game to another level."

Saunders challenged his team to play better defense in the second half, with the teams 47-47 at halftime. Minnesota responded by outscoring Cleveland 30-14 in the third quarter and limiting them to 4-of-16 field goals.

The Wolves were 0-for-6 from 3-point range in the first half and trailed by as many as eight points. They hit all four of their 3-pointers in the third quarter.

"The second half was an example that we need to be a lot more aggressive," Garnett said. "In the first half, we were not aggressive at all. They took the ball right to the basket against us."

The Wolves also got 17 points from Terrell Brandon and 13 points and 12 rebounds from reserve LaPhonso Ellis.

"We were swarming around and we got our hands on quite a few balls," Ellis said. "Once we forced them to take the outside shot, the percentages say they're not going to make as many of those."

Minnesota opened the second half with a 13-4 run to lead 60-51. The Cavaliers cut the deficit to 60-57 but Anthony Peeler hit his second 3-pointer of the quarter to put the Wolves up 65-57. Ellis made a 3 at the buzzer to give Minnesota a 77-61 lead.

"I'm disappointed that after the way we played in the first half, that we didn't come out with more energy in the second half," Cleveland coach Randy Wittman said.

The Cavs were within 82-65 and had Chris Mihm at the line with 9:08 to play. But Mihm missed both free throws, and Chauncey Billups hit a 3-pointer to extend Minnesota's lead to 20 points.

Wesley Person led Cleveland with 13 points.

Minnesota moved a game ahead of idle Houston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Wolves are in a virtual tie with Phoenix for seventh place.

"I think they're going to be a dangerous team," Wittman said of the Wolves, for whom he worked as an assistant before taking the Cleveland job last season. "This is a team that shoots the ball so well and shares the ball. If you have guys willing to move and share the ball, that's always a dangerous combination when you get into the playoffs."

Game notes
Minnesota has won five in a row at home. ... The Cavaliers are 8-25 on the road, 16-17 at home. ... Saunders has won all four games against Wittman, his former assistant Wittman.

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RECAPS
LA Lakers 95
Orlando 90

Indiana 101
Sacramento 95

Minnesota 91
Cleveland 76

Milwaukee 100
Detroit 96

Seattle 104
Golden State 99

Utah 111
LA Clippers 96

Denver 98
New Jersey 84


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