Sprewell and T’Wolves welcome Knicks

Sprewell spent five seasons with the Knicks before being traded to Minnesota last offseason in a blockbuster deal that involved six players and four NBA teams. Tonight’s game is his first contest against New York since being dealt.

The Knicks, who are in search of their third straight victory, earned a 94-88 win in Boston on Monday evening. Shandon Anderson poured in a season-high 28 points to lead New York.

Kurt Thomas posted 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, who have won two straight for the first time this season. Howard Eisley added 14 points in the win.

New York played without guard Allan Houston (back) and forward Keith Van Horn (ankle), but got solid contributions from Dikembe Mutombo and Clarence Weatherspoon. Mutombo ended with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Weatherspoon added 12 points.

Houston and Van Horn are questionable for tonight’s game. Van Horn came over from Philadelphia in the Sprewell trade.

The Timberwolves had a three-game winning streak snapped Tuesday evening when they dropped a 98-75 decision at Indiana.

Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell each netted 25 points for Minnesota. Garnett also pulled down 16 rebounds. Fred Hoiberg added 11 points for the Timberwolves, who lost for just the second time in six games.

The T’Wolves have won four straight over the Knicks and are 5-1 in their last six home games against New York.

The Knicks lead the all-time series, 18-9.

Minnesota is 6-1 against the Eastern Conference this season, while the Knicks are 1-2 against the West.