Wolves beat Spurs Minnesota shows it can play with best

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers might be looked upon as the biggest threats to the San Antonio Spurs, but the defending NBA champions' toughest opponent the past two years has been Minnesota.

After rallying to beat the Spurs 91-88 Tuesday night, the Timberwolves have won four of the teams' nine meetings the last two seasons. They were one of only three teams to beat the Spurs twice in the 1999 regular season, then handed the Spurs one of their two losses in the playoffs.

''Everyone in the league wants to say that they can play with the top teams in the league,'' Wolves guard Malik Sealy said. ''Tonight, we were able to show it.''

Sealy scored 22 points, lifting the Wolves to their seventh win in eight games.

Minnesota trailed 59-50 with 8:27 left in the third quarter, but Kevin Garnett scored 13 of his 21 points in the third quarter, and the Wolves made 15 of 22 shots to lead 75-74 after three.

Then they held the Spurs without a field goal for nearly 8 1/2 minutes at the start of the fourth quarter.

''The third quarter put us in a position to win,'' Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. ''Garnett took over in the third quarter, and we hit some big shots and were able to force some turnovers.''

Terrell Brandon had 18 points and 13 assists for the Wolves.

SAN ANTONIO(88)

J.Jackson 1-9 0-0 2, Duncan 10-17 7-9 27, Robinson 3-9 5-6 11, Elie 3-10 2-2 9, Johnson 8-19 1-2 17, Kersey 0-5 0-0 0, Porter 2-6 1-3 6, Rose 4-7 0-0 8, Daniels 2-2 0-0 4, Walker 1-1 2-2 4. Totals 34-85 18-24 88.

MINNESOTA (91)

Mitchell 2-12 4-4 8, Garnett 10-21 0-0 21, Nesterovic 6-8 2-2 14, Sealy 9-11 3-5 22, Brandon 7-19 3-5 18, Smith 3-7 0-2 6, Hammonds 0-0 0-0 0, Peeler 1-6 0-0 2, Patterson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 38-84 12-18 91.

San Antonio 21 29 24 14 -- 88

Minnesota 24 18 33 16 -- 91

3-Point Goals--San Antonio 2-11 (Porter 1-2, Elie 1-3, J.Jackson 0-6), Minnesota 3-6 (Garnett 1-1, Sealy 1-1, Brandon 1-2, Peeler 0-2). Fouled out--Nesterovic. Rebounds--San Antonio 55 (Duncan 19), Minnesota 54 (Garnett 11). Assists--San Antonio 23 (Duncan, Johnson 5), Minnesota 30 (Brandon 13). Total fouls--San Antonio 19, Minnesota 20. Technicals--Minnesota coach Saunders, Garnett. A--15,179 (19,006).