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Friday, Mar. 23 8:00pm ET
Garnett: 30 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Kevin Garnett is looking forward to leading Minnesota into the playoffs, one victory at a time.

LaPhonso Ellis
LaPhonso Ellis of the Timberwolves tries to rip a rebound away from Raef LaFrentz.

Garnett had 30 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists as the Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 101-90 Friday night, strengthening their position in the Western Conference.

"I don't even know the schedule, I don't even look at the standings," said Garnett after Minnesota won its third straight game. "I focus on what's in front me."

Terrell Brandon added 15 points for Minnesota, which won a season-high seventh straight home game. The Timberwolves tied a franchise record with their 26th home victory and set a club record with just four turnovers.

Minnesota is in eighth place in the Western Conference, three games ahead of idle Houston.

"You have to leave everything out there," said Garnett, who recorded his 48th double-double by the end of the first half. "There ain't nothing to take home with you."

That mindset is something that Garnett says he learned from teammate Sam Mitchell, who scored 16 points.

"We're going downhill now and Mitch has been my teacher since I've been here," Garnett said. "He's setting an example, he's giving everything he has."

Antonio McDyess had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have lost 10 of their last 11 road games. George McCloud added 18 points for Denver, which is 8-25 on the road.

Nick Van Exel received two straight technicals, and was ejected late in the third quarter for arguing a call with referee Dee Kantner. Van Exel was restrained by McDyess as he attempted to go back at Kantner, and he yelled an expletive at Kantner before leaving the court. "I probably deserved the technicals, but I probably deserved to have a foul called too," said Van Exel, who scored six points. "She was making calls all night for them like that.

"I should have stayed quiet and played through it."

McDyess and Raef LaFrentz each received a technical in the fourth quarter.

"I'm not going to say anything about the officiating, I'm smart enough to know that," coach Dan Issel said. "But, techs didn't make the difference. You can't shoot 36 percent and beat a team like Minnesota."

Leading 68-65, Minnesota started the fourth quarter with a 17-8 run behind Mitchell's eight points. A dunk by LaPhonso Ellis, off a feed from Mitchell, gave the Timberwolves their biggest lead, 85-73, with 7:25 remaining. Denver did not get closer than seven the rest of the way.

The teams shot a combined 6-for-26 in the first six minutes. The Timberwolves found their range and finished the first quarter with a 15-3 run for a 21-13 lead.

Denver went on a 19-10 run at the start of the second and took a one-point lead at the 5:33 mark.

Garnett countered with eight unanswered points, the last two coming on a hard-driving dunk over LaFrentz.

Garnett finished the half with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the Wolves led 43-40 at the break.

"When you think about how hard the guy plays night in and night out, and the pressure he accepts, it's phenomenal," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said of Garnett. "It's really fun to watch."

Minnesota maintained its three-point lead in the third quarter.

Wally Szczerbiak had 12 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, and Ellis added 14 points. Brandon also had eight assists and five rebounds.

Game notes
Minnesota starter Anthony Peeler left the game in the first quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return. Peeler was wearing a brace afterward, and Saunders said he doubted Peeler would be ready for Sunday's game against New Jersey... The Wolves were 26-15 at home in both 1997-98 and 1999-2000. ... Garnett shot 8-for-13 in the first half, while the rest of Minnesota's starters shot 2-for-17. ... Minnesota and Denver split the four-game season series. ... Since joining the NBA in 1976, Denver has never posted a winning record on the road.

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