Timberwolves on the prowl in Memphis

Minnesota put the brakes on a three-game slide with Sunday’s 84-83 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at the Target Center. Trenton Hassell’s basket in the waning moments lifted the Timberwolves to victory, while All-Star forward Kevin Garnett missed the triumph due to tendinitis in his right knee. His league-leading streak of 351 consecutive starts came to an end.

The Timberwolves were also without guard Ricky Davis, who is hampered with a strained groin.

Minnesota, which is 8-30 as the guest this season, will visit Houston and Indiana after Tuesday’s game against the Grizzlies. It will then close out the 2005-06 campaign in San Antonio and Memphis.

The Grizzlies are in the midst of a battle to remain fifth in the Western Conference playoff race with the Los Angeles Clippers. Memphis, which clinched a postseason berth on Saturday, is 3 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers and Sacramento in the West.

Memphis had a three-game winning streak halted in Sunday’s 83-81 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Pau Gasol had 14 points and his potential game-tying jumper was deflected by Tim Duncan.

Jake Tsakalidis had 15 points to lead Memphis, which lost for just the fourth time in its last 14 games. The Grizzlies also have won three straight and nine of their last 10 as the host. They have a 28-11 mark at home in 2005-06.

Memphis will visit Charlotte and Houston before hosting the Clippers in a big matchup at FedEx Forum. The Grizzlies are scheduled to travel to Minnesota in the season finale on April 19th.

The season series between Minnesota and Memphis is tied at a game apiece with the Timberwolves snapping a four-game series losing streak on February 26.

Minnesota has won 14 of the last 19 meetings, but has lost three straight at Memphis. The Timberwolves, though, have won 15 of their last 19 trips to Tennessee.