Garnett propels Wolves to victory

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Kevin Garnett dominated both ends of the court against the Washington Wizards.

Garnett had 24 points, seven rebounds, and five assists and held Juwan Howard to just six points as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat Washington 105-88 Thursday night. It was the Wizards' sixth straight loss.

"He was really active on Howard," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "It was pretty much an N.C. -- no contest.

"Last year, he was first team All-Defense. He's better this year."

Garnett, playing with his right ring finger heavily taped from an injury sustained on Tuesday, forced Howard into 2-for-10 shooting. Howard took just two shots in the second half and missed both.

"K.G. is a great player," Howard said. "Tonight, he had the better game, but that's the special thing about this league, that I get to play him again in Washington.

But it's not me versus K.G. It's Minnesota versus the Wizards, and tonight the better team won."

Terrell Brandon had 24 points, 12 assists and five rebounds for the Timberwolves, who never trailed. Wally Szczerbiak added 18 points as Minnesota shot a season-high 52.4 percent from the field.

"We had that flow going throughout our offense," Garnett said.

Brandon helped the Timberwolves put the game away in the third quarter, scoring 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting to give Minnesota an 80-66 lead.

Washington never got closer than 14 the rest of the way.

"He was on fire," Washington coach Leonard Hamilton said of Brandon.