AP News, March 14th, 2007
Kevin Garnett almost single-handedly prolonged Indiana's misery.
Garnett had 30 points and nine rebounds to carry the Timberwolves to a 86-81 victory on Tuesday night, extending the Pacers' losing streak to 10 games.
With the Timberwolves trailing by as many as 14 points in the third quarter and in danger of being embarrassed on their home floor, Garnett simply took over the game.
He scored 13 of the Wolves' 23 third-quarter points to keep them in it, then served as the primary ball-handler to start the fourth quarter, a move that jumpstarted an 16-0 run that put Minnesota on top for good.
Jamaal Tinsley had a career-high 37 points, six assists and six rebounds in his second game back from a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team for Indiana. But after dominating the first three quarters, Tinsley and the Pacers fell apart under increasing pressure from Garnett.
The 6-foot-11 Garnett turned into one of the tallest point guards in NBA history at the start of the fourth, bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offense.
He hit a jumper and then threw down a soaring dunk to turn the momentum, and the short-handed Pacers couldn't respond.
Playing without star Jermaine O'Neal (knee) and Marquis Daniels (knee), they went 7:02 without a point and are in the middle of their longest losing streak since they dropped 12 in a row in 1989.
Their latest loss may sting the most. They were in complete control midway through the third period, with Tinsley manhandling counterpart Troy Hudson at the point and Danny Granger and Shaun Williams hitting timely 3s.
In a flash, it all disappeared.
It took the Pacers 8:44 to make their first field goal of the fourth quarter, a 3-pointer by Tinsley that cut Minnesota's lead to 78-75.
The two teams traded buckets the rest of the way, giving the Timberwolves a win they desperately needed. They won for just the third time in 11 games and prepare to start a tough five-game West Coast road trip that coach Randy Wittman said will decide their fate.
The Wolves trail the Clippers by one game for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference and open the trip on Friday at Golden State. The swing also includes games against Sacramento, Seattle, Phoenix and the Lakers.
Randy Foye scored 16 points for Minnesota and Mike Dunleavy had 11 points and six rebounds for Indiana, which turned the ball over 20 times.
Notes:@ Dunleavy drew boos in the fourth when he batted the ball out of bounds. A fan had to have quick hands, to keep it from hitting his face. ... Indiana C Jeff Foster started for just the fifth time this season. After starting the previous two games, Ike Diogu came off the bench on Tuesday. ... Ricky Davis got a technical late in the first half for throwing his headband into the stands.
