Jackson gives Wolves a boost

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves are thanking Marc Jackson for a successful road trip.

Jackson had 12 rebounds in 22 minutes Monday night, and Minnesota finished 3-1 on its trip with a 97-92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

The Timberwolves acquired Jackson last week in a trade with the Golden State Warriors.

"I think, and Marc has really helped us in this area, we are pummeling people on the boards," coach Flip Saunders said. "He may not have a great offensive game, but his rebounding gives us the opportunity to do other things."

The Timberwolves outrebounded Charlotte 47-28, but Jackson said it will take a better effort to beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

"I'm just coming in and banging and trying to get something going for us," Jackson said. "But I'll have to pick it up in the Laker game because we're going to need more help than that."

Charlotte dropped its third straight and had a major setback when leading scorer Baron Davis bruised his chest.

Davis, who averages 19.9 points and a team-high 8.6 assists, was called for a charge when he collided with Minnesota guard Chauncey Billups in the first quarter.

Davis continued to play in obvious discomfort and left for good at the end of the period.

At halftime, the Hornets sent Davis home and said they would re-evaluate him Tuesday -- the same day injured guard David Wesley was due to resume practicing after missing 12 games with a broken foot.

Wesley was expected to return to the lineup at the end of the week, but coach Paul Silas said Davis' injury could force the Hornets to use him Wednesday night against New Jersey.

"We might have to speed that up," Silas said. "I was hoping to bring him along at his own pace, but we might have to do things on my pace now."

Davis' injury is typical of Charlotte's luck this season. Jamal Mashburn returned to the lineup last week after missing 42 games with a strained abdominal muscle, but it coincided with Wesley going down.

"It's been a difficult year, but it's part of the business," Silas said. "You still have to find a way, and I think our time is coming."

Wally Szczerbiak scored 24 points, and Kevin Garnett added 21 to lead Minnesota. Joe Smith had 16 points, and Rasho Nesterovic 14.

Elden Campbell rebounded from Sunday's embarrassment -- he passed up an open jumper because he forgot the score, thinking Charlotte needed a 3 in the closing seconds of a 95-93 loss to New Jersey -- by scoring 23 points.

Lee Nailon scored 16 for the Hornets, Mashburn had 15 and Jamaal Magloire added 14.

Charlotte had a 71-68 lead with 11:45 to play when the Timberwolves used a flurry of 3-pointers to beat the Hornets' zone defense during a 9-0 run.

William Avery struck first with a 3 to tie it at 71, then Szczerbiak was fouled attempting a 3. He made all three free throws to give the Timberwolves a 74-71 lead.

After a Charlotte miss, Avery hit another 3 to put Minnesota up 77-71 with 10:43 to go.

MINNESOTA (97)

Garnett 6-16 7-8 21, Smith 7-10 2-2 16, Nesterovic 7-9 0-0 14, Billups 3-8 0-0 7, Szczerbiak 8-17 5-5 24, Jackson 1-8 0-0 2, Peeler 2-5 0-0 5, Avery 2-8 0-0 6, Mitchell 1-1 0-0 2, Woods 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 37-83 14-15 97.

CHARLOTTE (92)

Lynch 1-3 1-2 3, Brown 4-8 0-0 8, Campbell 9-14 5-5 23, Davis 0-2 2-2 2, Mashburn 5-15 4-5 15, Magloire 6-8 2-4 14, Nailon 6-12 4-6 16, Drew 1-3 0-0 3, Augmon 4-5 0-0 8. Totals 36-70 18-24 92.

Minnesota 23 18 27 29 -- 97

Charlotte 22 22 25 23 -- 92

3-Point Goals--Minnesota 9-15 (Szczerbiak 3-5, Garnett 2-3, Avery 2-3, Billups 1-2, Peeler 1-2), Charlotte 2-6 (Mashburn 1-2, Drew 1-2, Davis 0-2). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--Minnesota 53 (Jackson 12), Charlotte 34 (Nailon 6). Assists--Minnesota 22 (Billups 8), Charlotte 25 (Drew 6). Total fouls--Minnesota 17, Charlotte 15. A--11,222 (19,925).