Kevin Garnett's versatility helped the Minnesota Timberwolves to their first four-game winning streak of the season. Garnett recorded his first triple-double of the season with 35 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Timberwolves held off a late surge for a 114-109 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Garnett notched his 13th career triple-double with a complete effort, also blocking a pair of shots. He had 21 points in the first half and made 13-of-26 shots for the game. "For me, it's game-by-game," Garnett said. " I didn't even know I had 35 tonight, to tell you the truth. It didn't feel like it." Minnesota guard Sam Cassell continued his strong play, scoring eight of his 26 points in the fourth quarter. He had been averaging 24.4 points per game this month. Dallas pulled within 102-100 when Antawn Jamison split a pair from the line with 3:25 to go. But Cassell answered with a 3-pointer 22 seconds later. "This was a win we had to have," Cassell said. " We're playing good basketball right now. We're understanding our concepts, we're forcing the tempo, playing good defense." Steve Nash collected 27 points and nine assists for the Mavericks, who have lost two games in as many nights. Dallas has lost each of the last six games in which it has yielded at least 100 points. Garnett entered the fourth quarter needing only one assist and a pair of rebounds to record the triple-double. But it took a rebound off a missed 3-pointer by Nash in the final seconds to secure the milestone. "That doesn't surprise me," Dallas coach Don Nelson said. "The guy's sensational. He is every night we play him." Minnesota shot a sizzling 59 percent (23-of-39) in building a 59-50 halftime lead. Trenton Hassell was a major spark with 10 of his 14 points in the first half. Dirk Nowitzki, who is battling an ankle problem, had a tough shooting night with 15 points on 4-of-13 shooting. Nowitzki, who missed the first meeting between the clubs on Nov. 29 with a sprained ankle, averaged 34.0 points in four games against Minnesota last season. --

※ 发信站: 批踢踢实业坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 203.67.207.175