NEW YORK, 27 February 2004 — Troy Hudson notched a season-high 29 points to inspire the host Minnesota Timberwolves to an 81-68 victory over New Jersey Wednesday, ending the 14-game winning streak of the Nets.

Rookie Lawrence Frank, 33, who set a North American sports record for the best start to a career by a coach or manager when he chalked up his 13th straight victory Tuesday, was handed his first loss.

Hudson, replacing ankle-injury victim Sam Cassell, scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter as the T-Wolves went on a 15-0 run to take a 75-58 lead in the final session. Kevin Garnett added 18 points for Minnesota. Wally Szczerbiak picked up a season-high 14 points but Latrell Sprewell totaled three points while going 1-for-6 from the floor.

Kenyon Martin led the Nets with 18 points. Kerry Kittles and Jason Kidd both added 11 as New Jersey had their franchise-record winning streak ended. Only four of New Jersey’s victories during the streak came against teams with winning records.

In Denver, Kareem Rush hit a three-pointer with 3.2 seconds left as the Los Angeles Lakers downed the Nuggets 112-111. A controversial jump-ball call allowed Los Angeles the chance for the winning basket.

Kobe Bryant amassed 35 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers in his second game back in Denver since being charged with sexual assault in Colorado last year. Rookie Carmelo Anthony had 35 points for the Nuggets.

In Toronto, Kwame Brown recorded 16 points as the Washington Wizards edged the struggling Raptors 76-74. Gilbert Arenas scored all seven of his points in the final five minutes as the Wizards ended a five-game losing streak. The Raptors, still without Vince Carter, Jalen Rose and Alvin Williams, suffered their sixth straight defeat.

In Boston, Michael Redd contributed 26 points to help the Milwaukee Bucks squeeze past the Celtics 106-104. Desmond Mason added 21 points for the Bucks, who handed the Celtics their seventh loss in a row and 13th in 14 games.

In New Orleans, Baron Davis picked up 26 points and nine assists as the Hornets overcame the Los Angeles Clippers 99-93. Jamaal Magloire had 21 points and 14 rebounds as the Hornets ended a two-game losing streak. Elton Brand led the Clippers with 19 points.

In Memphis, Speedy Claxton poured in 28 points to guide the Golden State Warriors to a 99-92 triumph over the Grizzlies. Erick Dampier notched 14 points and 18 rebounds for Golden State. James Posey replied with 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies.

In Chicago, Richard Hamilton scored 21 points to lead six players in double figures as the Detroit Pistons brushed aside the Bulls 107-88. Eddy Curry had 19 points for Chicago.

In Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire scored 24 points and 14 rebounds to help the Suns thrash the slumping New York Knicks 113-95. Joe Johnson added 22 points, 16 in the second half, as the Suns handed the Knicks their fourth straight loss.

In Houston, Cuttino Mobley grabbed 22 points as the Rockets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 90-84. Yao Ming added 17 points and eight rebounds for Houston. Zydrunas Ilgauskas picked up 17 points and seven rebounds for the Cavaliers.

In Seattle, Andrei Kirilenko recorded 22 points to steer the Utah Jazz past the SuperSonics 93-92 in overtime. Ray Allen led Seattle with 40 points.

Bucks’ Ford Has Bruised Spinal Cord

Meanwhile, the injury sustained by Milwaukee Bucks rookie point guard T.J. Ford in frightening fall on Tuesday night is more serious than first thought.

The Bucks announced Wednesday night that Ford suffered a mild bruise of the spinal cord in the fall that occurred in the fourth quarter of the Bucks’ 108-102 loss to the Timberwolves.

The team initially said the injury was a neck sprain and listed him as day-to-day. But an MRI revealed the bruised spinal cord, which will keep him out at least two weeks and perhaps three.

Team officials said Ford is expected to make a full recovery. He did not travel with the club to Boston for Wednesday’s game.