Twin City showdown: AI vs. Garnett

Philadelphia comes into tonight’s game off an emotional win. On Friday, Allen Iverson returned to the lineup and tallied 31 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and four steals to lead the 76ers over the New Orleans Hornets, 85-82, at the Wachovia Center. The All-Star guard had been sidelined the last two games with a sprained right index finger.

In the win, Iverson registered his third straight game with 30-plus points.

Kenny Thomas contributed 13 points 14 boards for the Sixers, who snapped a four-game slide.

The 76ers are 0-4 in Sunday games this season.

Philadelphia, which has lost two straight on the road, is 9-15 on the road this season.

The Timberwolves go for their 12th straight win at home this afternoon.

On Friday, Latrell Sprewell scored 19 of his 35 points in the third quarter, leading the Timberwolves to a 97-84 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

Minnesota trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half against LA, but Sprewell and Sam Cassell led the team back for its sixth win in seven games. Cassell scored 16 of his 28 in the fourth quarter and added 11 assists, while Garnett finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Sprewell is averaging 31 points and 6.5 rebounds in his last two games. He has scored in double digits in nine of his last 10 contests.

The Timberwolves are an impressive 15-5 as the host this season.

In 2002-03, the teams split a pair of games as each club won on its homecourt.

Overall, the home team has won four straight meetings. Philadelphia has lost two straight after winning its last two at Minnesota.