DENVER, Colorado, 29 April 2004 — Kevin Garnett scored 27 points and pulled down 14 rebounds here Tuesday as Minnesota Timberwolves moved to the brink of its first National Basketball Association playoff series triumph by beating Denver Nuggets 84-82.
The victory gave the Timberwolves, who have never advanced past the first round of the playoffs, a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven opening round Western Conference series.
And Garnett guaranteed Western top seed Minnesota would clinch the series by eliminating eighth-seeded Denver on their home court in Game Five tomorrow.
“We’re going to close this thing out when we get home,” Garnett said.
Garnett, whose NBA feats have been downplayed by his lack of playoff success, arrived at the arena three hours before the start for extra practice and the effort paid off on a night when the T-Wolves struggled.
Tuesday’s other NBA playoff game saw New Orleans down visiting Miami 96-85 to level their first-round series at 2-2. Game Five is tomorrow at Miami.
New Orleans guard Baron Davis scored 23 points and passed out 10 assists, sparking a fourth-quarter rally that lifted the Hornets to victory.
Denver made a late rally as well, but their comeback fell short. The Nuggets trimmed Minnesota’s lead to 81-80 but Latrell Sprewell sank a 3-pointer to lift the Timberwolves ahead 84-80.
Denver’s Earl Boykins jammed in a dunk to pull Denver within 84-82 and Sprewell missed two free throws to give Denver one final possession with a chance to win. But two desperation shots sailed well wide and Minnesota won.
Sprewell exchanged yells with rival players and insults with opposing fans as he departed the arena — the post-game tenor matching the combative nature of the contest.
Sprewell had 13 points, six rebounds and four assists while teammate Sam Cassell added 15 points, six rebounds and four assists for Minnesota. Voshon Lenard led Denver with 28 points.
At New Orleans, a noticeably limping Davis ignored the pain from ankle, back and elbow injuries to bounce back after making just 15-of-49 shots in the first three games of the series.
Despite a strong start by Davis, the Hornets trailed 71-68 entering the fourth quarter. But the Hornets’ defense took command at the finish while Davis sparked a 14-4 New Orleans run to grab the lead for good.
The Heat struggled in the fourth quarter, going 5-for-20 from the floor while the Hornets connected on 9-of-20 shots.
A lot of times that’s what it comes down to against good defense. They hit several huge shots and we were not able to. We were not able to make the big shots that they made.”
Lamar Odom scored 25 points to pace Miami, who got 16 points from Eddie Jones. But whether the Hornets can oust the Heat will depend on how long Davis can last.
