Hudson's 31 points lead Wolves to victory over SuperSonics

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Troy Hudson took the pressure off Minnesota star Kevin Garnett.

"Troy got into a rhythm that we all know he can get into," Garnett said. "From then on, I just tried to draw the defense and kick it to him, and sort of ride his back for a minute."

Hudson scored 31 points as the Timberwolves ended a three-game losing streak with a 91-86 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night.

The SuperSonics outrebounded Minnesota 43-30 and attempted 13 more free throws than the Wolves, but it wasn't enough to overcome 31-of-75 shooting, 14 turnovers and Hudson.

The loss further dimmed Seattle's playoff hopes. The Sonics fell three games behind Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

"We still are right there," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. "We lost this one, but we have to just continue to try and win. We've got to get ready for the Clippers Friday night, and take care of home."

Garnett had 20 points for Minnesota. Wally Szczerbiak struggled, going 3-for-12 for six points. But the Sonics didn't have an answer for Hudson.

"I said before the game," McMillan said, "K.G. is going to score 20 points and consistently somebody else has to score 20. Tonight, Hudson gave them 31. I think that was a big relief on K.G.'s part, that he didn't have to do it all by himself."

The 6-foot-1 Hudson was a one-man show for the Timberwolves, hitting from the perimeter, driving the lane, rebounding and knocking the ball out of the hands of Seattle's big men. Hudson has been known to take risky shots this season, but his teammates have learned to stay calm when he does.

"He seems to make them," Kendall Gill said.

"Sometimes I'm going to take bad shots, but I know when to control myself," Hudson said.

The Wolves moved a half-game behind idle Portland for the fourth Western Conference playoff spot and home-court advantage.

"Had we lost tonight, it would've really put a damper on our spirits," Gill said.

Minnesota played tight defense on Ray Allen, holding Seattle's star guard to 19 points.

The Sonics pulled to 88-84 on a driving layup by Predrag Drobnjak with 2:07 to play. Rashard Lewis got a quick layup after Szczerbiak missed a pair of 3s, but Gill hit a 19-footer with 17 seconds left to make it 90-86.

Seattle turned over the ball on the next possession and sent Gill to the line, where he made one of two. Brent Barry then missed a desperation 3-pointer to seal the win.

Drobnjak finished with 16 points and Lewis added 15.

"We didn't get the stops, we didn't get the rebounds, we turned the ball over," Allen said. "We didn't get what we needed to get and the game got out of control."

Notes: Wolves coach Flip Saunders said point guard Rod Strickland (groin) is practicing with the team, but wouldn't say when he expects him to return to the lineup. ... Former Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett was in attendance, just hours after the jury in his sexual assault trial finished deliberating for the day.

SEATTLE (86)

Lewis 5-13 4-4 15, R.Evans 2-5 0-0 4, Drobnjak 7-13 0-0 16, Allen 6-17 5-5 19, Barry 3-5 4-6 11, James 2-5 1-2 5, Ollie 2-6 1-3 5, Radmanovic 3-6 0-0 8, Campbell 1-5 1-2 3. Totals 31-75 16-22 86.

MINNESOTA (91)

Szczerbiak 3-12 0-0 6, Garnett 10-16 0-1 20, Nesterovic 2-6 0-0 4, Peeler 4-8 0-0 10, Hudson 14-22 0-0 31, Gill 2-4 3-4 7, Jackson 0-3 2-2 2, Smith 4-6 1-2 9, Wilks 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 40-78 6-9 91.

Seattle 27 20 20 19 -- 86

Minnesota 31 18 23 19 -- 91

3-Point Goals--Seattle 8-20 (Drobnjak 2-3, Radmanovic 2-4, Allen 2-7, Lewis 1-3, Barry 1-3), Minnesota 5-14 (Hudson 3-6, Peeler 2-5, Garnett 0-1, Szczerbiak 0-2). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--Seattle 54 (Allen 7), Minnesota 37 (Garnett 9). Assists--Seattle 20 (Barry 6), Minnesota 23 (Garnett 7). Total fouls--Seattle 16, Minnesota 16. A--14,117 (19,006).