Timberwolves try to move into semis

The Timberwolves, who have lost seven straight years in the first round of the playoffs, are 0-2 all-time when they have a chance to eliminate their opponent from the postseason. In 1998, Minnesota led Seattle 2-1 in the best- of-five series. The SuperSonics would win Game 4 at the Target Center and dismissed the Timberwolves, 97-84, at KeyArena in Game 5.

After winning Games 1 and 2 at home and dropping Game 3 at the Pepsi Center, Minnesota beat Denver, 84-82, on Tuesday to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Kevin Garnett poured in 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves to the victory.

Sam Cassell finished with 15 points and Trenton Hassell scored 14 for the top- seeded Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves played Game 5 without forward Wally Szczerbiak, who is expected to miss at least the rest of the series because of three transverse process fractures of his lumbar spine.

Voshon Lenard netted a game-high 28 points Tuesday as he drained 6-of-7 three- point tries for the Nuggets. Rookie Carmelo Anthony, who was bothered by a sprained left knee that caused him to miss some time in the third quarter, struggled all night as he scored only two points on a dismal 1-of-16 shooting.

On the injury front, Anthony (knee) is questionable, while Denver forward Rodney White (ankle) is doubtful.

Denver is 3-2 in its last five Game 5s in the postseason, while the Timberwolves are 0-2 all-time in Game 5s.

Minnesota has won two straight and three of its last five road games in the playoffs. The Timberwolves are just 6-9 all-time as the visitor in the postseason.

In the 1994 playoffs, Denver came back from a 2-0 deficit to knock off the Seattle SuperSonics in five games in the first round of the postseason. The Nuggets have never won a best-of-seven series after dropping the first two contests.

The Nuggets have never comeback from a 3-1 deficit to win a best-of-seven series since joining the NBA in 1976-77.

The winner of this series will face the Sacramento Kings, who defeated Dallas in five games.

If Denver wins tonight, Game 6 would be played on Sunday at Pepsi Center.