Timberwolves go for fifth straight win

On Sunday, Sam Cassell scored a game-high 32 points and dished out six assists, leading Minnesota to a 99-95 win over Phoenix at the Target Center. Cassell went 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to ice the game for the Timberwolves, who tied Sacramento for the best record in the Western Conference at 30-12.

Kevin Garnett collected his NBA leading 36th double-double of the season with 19 points and 17 rebounds, as Minnesota won its ninth game in 10 tries. Garnett also handed out eight assists in the win. Trenton Hassell was Minnesota’s other double-figure scorer with a season-high 15 points.

Cassell, who is bidding for his first All-Star appearance this season, has been a big part of Minnesota’s success this season and has saved his best for last . Over his last 29 games the veteran point guard has shot 57.5-percent in the fourth quarter.

He is also among the league leaders in field-goal percentage (49.7) assists per game (7.4) and 3-point percentage (43.1).

The win was the Timberwolves’ 11th straight at home, the third-longest streak in team history.

Minnesota, which has never been this high in the conference standings this late in the season, has won four of its last six and 10 of its last 13 on the road and are 15-7 away from home this season.

Denver, meanwhile, enters tonight’s tilt riding a two-game losing streak after Sunday’s 106-88 setback at the hands of the smoking-hot Memphis Grizzlies at the Pyramid.

The Nuggets were led by rookie Carmelo Anthony, who posted 25 points on 10- of-17 shooting. Andre Miller added 19 points for Denver, which has dropped two straight on the heels of a three-game win streak.

Earl Boykins added 12 for Denver, which was outscored 64-39 in the second half.

The Nuggets have won four of their last five at home and are 17-7 in their arena this season.

Minnesota defeated the Denver earlier in the year and has won six straight in the series and nine of the last 11 matchups. The T-Wolves, who have won 17 of the last 23 overall meetings, have also won eight of their last 11 in the Rockies.