The Minnesota Timberwolves have spent a lot of time talking about becoming a defensive team. Now they're starting to play like one.
The Timberwolves snapped Kobe Bryant's 30-point game streak at four and Kevin Garnett had 17 points and 15 rebounds in an 88-74 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.
"That's all we've talked about is defense, defense, defense," Timberwolves guard Troy Hudson said. "Now we're coming out and backing up our talk."
Bryant entered the night averaging nearly 37 points a game and was coming off consecutive 37-point outings. He finished with 28 points on 12-of-26 shooting, but was a non-factor in the fourth quarter thanks to a stingy zone defense employed by new coach Dwane Casey.
As soon as he was hired, Casey started stressing team defense to a group that basically considered it an afterthought in 10 years under Flip Saunders. At least early in the season, the Timberwolves seem to be embracing the new identity.
They held the Lakers to 32 percent shooting and 29 points in the second half. Lakers' point guard Smush Parker, who had been averaging over 17 points a game, was held scoreless and Lamar Odom added 15 points and six rebounds before fouling out.
"They're focusing on defense," Odom said. "You can tell."
Bryant seemed to get frustrated with his lack of involvement in the fourth, hoisting a few wild shots that weren't even close and losing the ball on a pair of reckless drives to the basket. He also missed two free throws down the stretch and was 0-for-5 from the field in the period.
"We had mental lapses in the fourth quarter," Bryant said. "It comes from us not playing together for a long time. It comes from inexperience."
Bryant's struggles allowed the Timberwolves to overcome a 1-for-10 start to the quarter and seal the win with an 8-0 run that pushed the lead to 82-69 with under 3 minutes to play.
Eddie Griffin, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, capped the run with a jumper from the baseline and headlined an impressive performance by the Wolves' reserves.
Minnesota's subs outscored their Los Angeles counterparts 36-19 to overshadow a rough shooting day from their top two scorers.
CELTICS 99, GRIZZLIES 98: At Boston, Ricky Davis made a jumper as time expired, and Paul Pierce scored 29 points as the Boston Celtics overcame an 18-point deficit. After Eddie Jones' jumper gave the Grizzlies a one-point lead with 13 seconds remaining, Pierce was double-teamed as he drove baseline and passed to Davis, who was wide open at the foul line.
CAVALIERS 112, SUPERSONICS 85: At Cleveland, LeBron James scored 31 points, Larry Hughes added 13 and the Cavaliers made a team-record 28 straight free throws before their first miss, rolling over the Seattle. Making 19 of 19 free throws in the first 24 minutes, the Cavaliers built a 22-point halftime lead over the Sonics, who got blown out for the second game in a row. On Tuesday, Seattle was beaten 94-69 at Memphis.
SPURS 94, BOBCATS 86: At Charlotte, N.C., Tim Duncan scored 29 points and Tony Parker added 23 to lead San Antonio over the host team. The Bobcats, who played into overtime in three of their first four games, were clearly feeling the effects of that grind against the defending NBA champions. The Spurs led almost the entire way and the final score was closer than the game ever was.
CLIPPERS 102, WIZARDS 97: At Washington, Elton Brand had 31 points and 13 rebounds, and the Clippers handed the Wizards their first loss of the season. Brand's double-double was the 181st of his career, tying him with Loy Vaught for the Clippers' franchise record. Corey Maggette finished with 20 points, six rebounds and three assists.
76ERS 112, MAVERICKS 97: At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 25 points and keyed a decisive 15-0 run to lead the 76ers over the Mavericks. Andre Iguodala scored 22 points, Kyle Korver 20 and Chris Webber had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers, who opened a season-long four-game homestand with their first home win.
MAGIC 88, HORNETS 83: At Oklahoma City, Steve Francis scored 24 points to help Orlando hand New Orleans its first loss in Oklahoma City. After DeShawn Stevenson's layup gave the Magic a 79-69 lead, the Hornets came charging back, going on a 10-3 run. Speedy Claxton, who finished with 24 points, hit back-to-back baskets and his free throw with 1:23 left pulled New Orleans within three, 82-79.
BULLS 85, WARRIORS 84: At Chicago, Michael Sweetney hit two free throws with 6.3 seconds left and Kirk Hinrich added 23 points for the Bulls, who overcame 26 turnovers on their way to a victory over Golden State. With the Warriors ahead 84-83, Hinrich found Sweetney on the right block. Troy Murphy fouled him, and Sweetney hit both free throws to put the Bulls ahead.
PACERS 95, HEAT 90: At Indianapolis, Ron Artest scored 24 points to lead the Pacers over the Heat. Artest struggled from the free throw line until it mattered most. He made two with 53 seconds left to give the Pacers a 91-90 lead. After Dwyane Wade missed a jumper, Indiana's Sarunas Jasikevicius scored on a layup with 14 seconds remaining to increase the Pacers' lead to 93-90.
TRAIL BLAZERS 95, KNICKS 83: At Portland, Ore., Zach Randolph had 29 points and 12 rebounds and Portland kept New York winless. Randolph hit a 20-footer then added a pair of free throws to make it 85-72 and the Blazers sailed the rest of the way for their second straight win.
NUGGETS 107, KINGS 91: At Denver, Marcus Camby scored eight of his 20 points during Denver's 18-3 run in the fourth quarter and added 11 rebounds and six blocked shots, helping the Nuggets pull away from the road-weary Kings. Sacramento opened the season with three straight road games and had to play in Denver's Mile High air a night after losing by 14 to Detroit.