NBA Game Summary - Minnesota at New Jersey

East Rutherford, NJ (Basketball News) - Sam Cassell scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves over New Jersey, 96-75, at the Meadowlands.

"We controlled the tempo," said Cassell. "We didn’t let them run up and down the court. When they do that they’re tough to beat."

Kevin Garnett added 13 with eight rebounds and eight assists for Minnesota, which has won three games in a row and four of its last six. Wally Szczerbiak also had 13 points in the victory.

Minnesota entered Saturday’s contest three games behind Denver for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Vince Carter scored 16 to lead New Jersey. Jason Kidd added a game-high 10 rebounds with eight assists and seven points in the loss, the second straight for the Nets. New Jersey fell three games behind Philadelphia for the final playoff berth in the East.

"These last two games we’ve kind of gone in reverse," Kidd said. "We have to fix it fast. We don’t have that many games left to give away."

The Timberwolves, leading by two, scored 13 of the first 15 points of the second quarter. Szczerbiak was fouled grabbing an offensive rebound and made both free throws to start the run and give Minnesota a 22-18 lead. Eddie Griffin buried a three-pointer and two more from the stripe by Szczerbiak capped the run for a 33-20 Minnesota lead.

Another three by Griffin midway through the second quarter increased the Timberwolves’ advantage to 38-24. Minnesota was ahead by 18 after two free throws by Griffin made the score 44-26 with 4 1/2 minutes left before halftime.

Minnesota remained in control and took a 48-35 lead into the locker room.

The Nets got as close as seven, 62-55, after a pair of free throws by Carter with 3:55 to go in the third, but Minnesota answered with five straight points for a 12-point advantage. The Timberwolves’ lead remained in double digits the rest of the way.

Minnesota, which took a 71-59 lead into the final quarter, used a 10-2 run to begin the fourth and cruised to the 21-point win.

Michael Olowokandi scored six points in an early 8-0 run that gave Minnesota the lead for good. With the score tied, Olowokandi muscled inside for a layup to give the Timberwolves a 10-8 lead. His turn-around jumper capped the run and gave Minnesota a 16-8 advantage with 4:35 remaining in the opening quarter.

New Jersey closed the first quarter with a 10-4 burst to pull within two, 20-18.