T-Wolves rout Sonics

Mark Blount posted 18 points and nine rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have won three of four. Marko Jaric netted 13 points, Randy Foye 12, and Craig Smith and Kevin Garnett both added 10 apiece.

"We never let up,"said Garnett, who also grabbed 13 boards. "We came out with energy and set the tone. For the most part, we’ve really been in a good rhythm as of late."

All-Star guard Ray Allen did not play against Denver in order to be present for the birth of his third child, but returned to score 14 points for the SuperSonics, who lost their second straight. Johan Petro scored 12 points and Earl Watson added nine.

Minnesota jumped out to an early 28-20 first-quarter lead, and closed the second on an 11-2 run capped by a Blount jumper with three ticks on the clock for a 56-39 halftime lead.

The Wolves outscored the Sonics by seven in the third to lead 77-53 heading into the final stanza, in which Seattle managed to trim only five points off its deficit for the final margin.

"This is the first time this year that I think we really gave in to the game not going our way," Sonics forward Nick Collison said. "We can’t make that a habit."

Game Notes

This was the first of four meetings between the teams this season...Seattle has lost three straight after winning its last two at Minnesota...The SuperSonics have won four of the last seven contests in this series.