Timberwolves' supporting cast comes through

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders wants to rely less on Kevin Garnett and more on his teammates.

The plan worked perfectly Tuesday night as Garnett scored 18 points and took just nine shots, while rookie Wally Szczerbiak came within a rebound of his first triple-double.

The Wolves also got 21 points on 80 percent shooting from Terrell Brandon and eight assists in 16 minutes from third-stinger William Avery in a 112-89 rout of Golden State.

''That was an efficient and effective performance,'' Saunders said after the Wolves reversed a 104-76 loss to the Warriors two months ago.

For a change, the Wolves didn't have to rely on Garnett, who was exhausted after firing up 33 shots against New Jersey on Sunday night.

''I don't want him to get comfortable throwing up just nine shots,'' said Szczerbiak, who had 21 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. ''But he's going to carry us down the stretch.''

Joe Smith (16 points in 18 minutes) said it's crucial to save the Wolves' star power forward for the season's stretch run.

''It's a long season, he's a young guy. For him to come out 82 games and put us on his back wears him down,'' Smith said. ''It's not right for us to put all the pressure on him all the time.''

The Warriors seemed taken aback that Garnett was running interference more often than he was driving to the basket.

But Garnett said he'll take fewer shots if they produce more victories. ''We're winning,'' he said. ''Who cares about shots? I care about wins.''

GOLDEN STATE(89)

Caffey 2-6 7-8 11, Marshall 4-11 1-1 9, Dampier 4-10 3-6 11, Hughes 2-16 9-10 14, Blaylock 3-9 0-0 7, Owens 4-8 2-2 10, V.Cummings 2-10 4-4 9, Jacobson 4-4 3-3 11, Foyle 1-1 0-0 2, Farmer 2-4 1-2 5, Mack 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-80 30-36 89.

MINNESOTA (112)

Szczerbiak 9-14 2-4 21, Garnett 6-9 6-8 18, Nesterovic 1-2 0-0 2, Sealy 3-10 2-2 8, Brandon 8-10 4-6 21, Peeler 3-10 4-5 11, Garrett 3-5 2-2 8, Smith 7-11 2-3 16, Avery 0-2 3-4 3, Jackson 1-1 0-0 2, Hammonds 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 42-75 25-34 112.

Golden State 19 23 23 24 -- 89

Minnesota 30 27 22 33 -- 112

3-Point Goals--Golden State 3-14 (Hughes 1-2, Blaylock 1-3, V.Cummings 1-3, Owens 0-1, Mack 0-1, Marshall 0-2, Farmer 0-2), Minnesota 3-8 (Szczerbiak 1-1, Brandon 1-2, Peeler 1-3, Garnett 0-1, Avery 0-1). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--Golden State 44 (Hughes 7), Minnesota 56 (Garnett 14). Assists--Golden State 15 (Blaylock 5), Minnesota 34 (Szczerbiak 10). Total fouls--Golden State 23, Minnesota 26. Technicals--Golden State coach St. Jean. A--13,992 (19,006).