Youth movement to continue http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/14298610.htm Sure, it was strange to see Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett not on the court in the fourth quarter Friday night. But for this team, players such as Justin Reed have become what the final six games of this season are about. That's why coach Dwane Casey used Reed and other inexperienced players down the stretch of Minnesota's 103-95 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday, the Wolves' first game after they were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. And it's why Reed and other reserves will receive significant minutes the rest of this season, including today's matinee game against the Atlanta Hawks at Target Center. So don't be surprised if Garnett isn't in the game during critical situations in the final quarter, if he plays at all then. That's an adjustment for Reed, the second-year pro who is embracing playing with fellow youngsters such as Rashad McCants and Marcus Banks. "It really just makes you trust the guys out there even more," Reed said Saturday after practice. "You know it's just a bigger demand. We don't have a go-to guy, so we have to depend on each other that much more. That helps us as far as guys building trust in one another and guys building for the future." Reed scored 18 points, his career high, against the Jazz. He made 6 of 14 shots from the field but also drove to the basket frequently and made 6 of 6 free throws. He ran the floor well and provided the energy that doesn't show up in a boxscore. "Justin has grown by leaps and bounds," Casey said. "Playing with his type of energy is an NBA skill. I've had players like that before (in Seattle) — Reggie Evans, Ruben Patterson. In those guys' careers, they've always been underestimated as far as what they bring to the table." Casey devoted special attention to the reserves in practice Saturday, working on the proper spacing and roles for the bench players when players such as Garnett and Ricky Davis, the team's second leading scorer, aren't on the floor. "You want to put them in situations to see how they react under competition, with the referees, the crowd, time and score, fatigue, frustration, with no safety blanket," Casey said. "You don't have Kevin coming in, you don't have Ricky coming in. It's on you." Experienced players such as Eddie Griffin and Marko Jaric figure to get plenty of minutes, as well. But it will be Reed and McCants who are the focus. McCants led the Wolves against the Jazz with eight fourth-quarter points, six coming on free throws. "Rashad came in at the end and turned it up," Casey said. "He got to the free-throw line, made some hard cuts without the ball. We all know he can shoot it, but him playing without the ball is another focus." McCants scored 17 points Friday night on 5-of-11 shooting. "I'd like to see if he can get up 20 shots," Casey said. "You can't just walk through that and get that many shots up, quality shots. To get 20 quality shots, it takes work." Briefly: Guard Anthony Carter's magnetic resonance imaging test results won't be reviewed until Monday, meaning he isn't expected to be available for today's game. It's possible Carter might not suit up for any of the other five remaining games this season, Casey said. The regular season ends April 19 against Memphis at Target Center. ‧ A group of sixth- and seventh-grade girls from the Westside Boys & Girls Club in St. Paul attended Saturday's practice and shot hoops afterward. --

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