http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16835048.htm Troy Hudson languished on the bench for months. If Sunday's game is any indication, maybe he could have helped the Timberwolves avoid their tailspin. Hudson had 26 points and eight assists, and he energized the Wolves' offense in his first start of the season Sunday against the Boston Celtics. The Wolves lost 124-117 in double overtime, but his performance included a crucial three-pointer late in regulation that extended the game. Hudson finished with season highs in points, assists and minutes (46). He made 9 of 15 shots, including 3 of 6 three-pointers. But perhaps most important, the Wolves' offense had a different look with him on the court as the team's point guard. "That's the best ball movement we've had," coach Randy Wittman said. The Wolves had 32 assists on 44 baskets and just 14 turnovers. Wittman said Hudson must share the credit with his teammates. But there's no doubt Hudson played a big role. "I think that's what we've been really harping on all year: trying to get the ball moving," Hudson said. It remains to be seen whether Hudson will remain in the starting lineup. Wittman wouldn't commit to it, but Kevin Garnett is a big fan. He said Hudson's outside shooting and playmaking take pressure off him. "Troy played really well," Garnett said. "He got the ball poppin'. I was kind of worried about him. He went over 45 minutes in his first start. He's a vet. He's very professional, keeps himself ready, keeps himself in shape." Garnett said he thinks Hudson sets a good example for young players such as Randy Foye, who started the previous eight games at point guard. Foye played just six minutes, his fewest since Dec. 6. Wittman said Foye had a "tough stint" when he was in the game, and the Celtics' big lineup of Paul Pierce at shooting guard and Ryan Gomes at small forward made it difficult to get Foye on the court. In addition, Wittman said he liked the way Hudson and Mike James performed. Hudson made a three-pointer that tied the score 93-93 with about 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. It was a big basket that sent the game into overtime, part of his seven points in the fourth quarter. The overtimes didn't go as well for Hudson. He went scoreless (missing his only shot) in 10 minutes combined in the two overtime periods. With 27 seconds remaining in the first overtime, and Minnesota trailing by one point, Hudson used a pick and roll with Garnett. Then Hudson tried to send a pass to Garnett over Gomes, who tipped the ball, leading to a turnover and two free throws on the other end for Delonte West, who led Boston with 31 points. With 15.1 seconds remaining in the overtime, Wolves guard Ricky Davis was fouled behind the three-point line. But officials conferred and changed the initial call from three free throws to two, a key play that Wittman said cost his team the game. Still, Garnett managed to send the game into the second overtime with a three-pointer with 4.5 seconds left, knotting the score 107-107. In the second overtime, the Wolves never led by more than two points. Garnett hit a jumper with 2:36 remaining, but West answered and Pierce made go-ahead free throws with less than than 2 minutes left. Al Jefferson, who had 20 points and 14 rebounds, made a layup with 1:05 remaining that put Boston ahead 119-115, and the Wolves never got closer than three points after that. The Wolves led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter. For the game, they were outrebounded by 30, 57-27, a franchise record. The Wolves are slipping further out of the playoff hunt. They are a season-low seven games under .500. --

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