NBA Game Summary - Minnesota at New York

12.29.2004

New York, NY (Basketball News) - Stephon Marbury poured in a game-high 32 points with 11 assists as New York used a decisive fourth-quarter run to put away Minnesota, 100-87, at historic Madison Square Garden.

Nazr Mohammed collected 19 points with nine boards, while Kurt Thomas added 14 points for New York, which has won three straight after a two-game slide and seven of 10 overall.

Tim Thomas chipped in 10 points for the Knicks, who shot 54 percent from the floor in the win.

Latrell Sprewell paced Minnesota with 22 points. Sam Cassell added 20, while Kevin Garnett contributed 17 points with 13 boards for the Timberwolves, who have dropped three of four.

"When we win games everyone get touches," said Garnett. "I missed some shots. I did not feel like a took a lot of shots," added Garnett, who ended 7-of-17 from the floor.

Trailing 69-66 heading into the fourth quarter, Minnesota fought back and regained the lead on Cassell’s jumper which made the score 78-77 with 6:23 to play. Moments later, Cassell would drain a three from the corner as the lead grew to 83-81 with just under five minutes left in the game.

However, New York closed out the game with a 19-4 flurry to break open a tightly played contest.

Mike Sweetney’s dunk ignited a burst that saw Marbury account for 10 points, including seven straight down the stretch, as New York pulled away for the 13- point triumph.

"We executed down the stretch," said Marbury. "We made them take a lot of tough shots."

The Knicks held a slim 24-22 edge after 12 minutes of action led by Marbury’s nine points in the frame. The Knicks then started the second stanza on a 13-4 run to get some breathing room. Trevor Ariza’s two free throws staked New York to a 37-26 lead at the 7:18 mark of the second quarter.

Minnesota, though, fought back and trimmed the deficit to 48-41 as both teams headed into the locker room. Mohammed paced all players with 15 points, while Sprewell and Cassell led the Timberwolves with 10 points apiece at the break.

The Timberwolves were able to close to within 69-66 after 36 minutes of play.

The Timberwolves shot 3-of-13 from beyond the arc, while the Knicks ended 4- of-9......Marbury ended 12-of-19 from the floor and has scored 30 or more points in two straight games. He is averaging 20.5 points and 8.8 assists over his last five contests...The Knicks improved to 12-4 when they allow under 100 points this season...The Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak to the Wolves at MSG...Minnesota fell to 4-7 against Eastern Conference foes this season...The Timberwolves have lost five straight road games, their longest such skid since March 2001.

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