Heat give Wolves boost they need

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves repaired their psyche at the expense of the Miami Heat.

With their next four games on the road -- including Tuesday at Dallas and Sunday at San Antonio -- the Wolves wanted some momentum for the final race to the postseason.

The Timberwolves got the boost they needed, defeating the Heat 93-80 Sunday, two days after blowing a 14-point lead in a loss to Denver.

"A win's a win, but to win a game this way helps our confidence," said Chauncey Billups, who had 23 points and eight assists.

The Timberwolves put Miami away early with the help of balanced scoring spurts and a zone defense. With Kevin Garnett pressuring the point and Joe Smith and Rasho Nesterovic playing inside, the Heat were forced into long-range jumpers.

"We were on the same page today," Wally Szczerbiak said. "On Friday, Denver hit their open shots in the third and fourth quarter. Today, Miami had open looks, but just didn't knock them down. Our zone did a good job of making them take contested outside shots."

Added Heat coach Pat Riley, "When you have a 7-footer at the point and two under the basket, it makes it difficult to attack."

Riley was visibly frustrated with his team's performance. After recovering from a 6-23 start, the Heat pushed their record to 20-29 before Sunday's game, provoking talk of a possible dash for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

But they looked like the Miami of earlier in the season, shooting 32-for-80 from the field and 9-of-14 from the free-throw line.

"We've won 12 of 15 and we think we're an .800 team," Riley said. "We're a .400 team and our guys don't see that."

The Heat finished the game on a 12-4 run, but the lead the Wolves built wasn't in any real danger.

"Miami plays very physical. We knew we were going to have to push the ball down their throats," Billups said.

Minnesota hit seven of its first eight shots and jumped to a 14-4 lead.

When Eddie House hit a running jumper to pull the Heat to 30-22 with 9:55 left in the second quarter, it was the closest they would get.

"They were ready from the get-go. Our guys weren't ready at all," Riley said.

Szczerbiak, who had 22 points, and Billups combined for 15 during a 20-14 run that Minnesota used to close out the first half for a 50-36 lead.

After halftime, the Wolves went on a 16-2 run to make it 66-43. Billups capped the run after falling down and keeping his dribble. From the floor, he found a wide-open Szczerbiak, who drained a short jumper.

Two plays later, Billups made another tough play as he drove the baseline, drew contact, and made the basket just as he was knocked to the ground.

"This was a big game for us," coach Flip Saunders said. "It was one we had to have, and now we go on the road for four huge games."

Notes: Miami's LaPhonso Ellis returned to Minnesota for the first time since being picked up from the Wolves as a free agent in August. Ellis joked around with Szczerbiak, Billups and other Timberwolves during pregame warmups. Fans gave him a polite ovation when he first entered the game as a reserve. ... The Wolves are only 2-3 against sub .500 teams in their last 12 games. ... Garnett said he would formally announce a foundation on Monday to help create business opportunities for young people.

MIAMI (80)

Gill 1-7 1-2 3, Grant 2-6 2-2 6, Mourning 5-8 0-2 10, Jones 6-16 2-3 17, Strickland 3-8 0-0 6, Stepania 2-4 2-2 6, Ellis 0-4 0-0 0, House 5-11 0-0 12, Jackson 5-8 2-3 13, Gatling 1-3 0-0 2, James 1-4 0-0 3, Marks 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 32-80 9-14 80.

MINNESOTA (93)

Garnett 6-14 0-0 12, Smith 4-8 3-3 11, Nesterovic 4-6 0-0 8, Szczerbiak 8-14 6-6 22, Billups 10-17 2-3 23, Woods 1-3 0-0 2, Peeler 4-6 0-0 8, Lopez 1-3 0-0 2, Mitchell 2-4 0-0 5, Avery 0-1 0-0 0, Garrett 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 40-76 11-12 93.

Miami 17 19 17 27 -- 80

Minnesota 26 24 22 21 -- 93

3-Point Goals--Miami 7-19 (Jones 3-7, House 2-5, Jackson 1-2, James 1-3, Gill 0-1, Ellis 0-1), Minnesota 2-10 (Mitchell 1-1, Billups 1-5, Peeler 0-1, Avery 0-1, Szczerbiak 0-1, Lopez 0-1). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--Miami 45 (Grant 7), Minnesota 45 (Garnett 12). Assists--Miami 22 (Strickland 5), Minnesota 25 (Billups 8). Total fouls--Miami 15, Minnesota 17. Technicals--Miami coach Riley. A--19,279 (19,006).