Sonics Start Cold; Finish Hot

In a game when the Sonics could do no right, they still managed to pull off a 99-88 win versus the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves who now reside 12.5 games back of division leading Seattle. The Sonics survived the first half riding on seldom used Vitaly Potapenko who was the only one to shoot over 40% in the first half.

The Sonics did finally catch up in the fourth quarter and it was smooth sailing from there as Ray Allen caught fire, finishing with a game-high 32 points.

Via The Seattle Times

Oklahoma City, Minnesota Timberwolves

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Clippers Return Home And Defeat Reeling Timberwolves

The Clippers, coming off a blowout loss in Phoenix, came out with intensity and passion. The Wolves, perhaps rusty after a seven-day layoff, and with their injured floor leader, Sam Cassell, playing only ten minutes, came out missing shots and committing turnovers. Not that the Clippers were in any mood to sympathize, with Kerry Kittles, Marko Jaric and Shaun Livingston all sidelined. They made 12 of their first 18 shots, led by 9 at halftime, and never trailed.

The Clippers’ passion extended into the stands, where a free-for-all incited by two young women captivated the crowd for two minutes of the third quarter. The crowd barely noticed Latrell Sprewell’s breakaway dunk that cut the Clipper lead to two points, but order was soon restored. The brawling fans were ejected and arrested, along with Minnesota’s rally.

It was another banner night for Elton Brand, who won his duel with Kevin Garnett. Brand had 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots, while Garnett managed only 14 points. Corey Maggette added 23, Rick Brunson had 10 assists in 33 minutes, and Chris Kaman, playing with ferocity under the glass, grabbed 10 rebounds and helped hassle Garnett into a 6-16 shooting night. Kaman’s back-to-back shots late in the fourth quarter frustrated a 10-2 run by the Wolves that saw them close to within 74-72 with less than four minutes remaining. Just when it appeared as if the Clippers were headed for another late-game collapse, Kaman muscled up a shot over two defenders, and then flipped in a lay-up off a nifty feed by Brunson. A step-back 20-foot jumper by Bobby Simmons sealed the victory with just under a minute left, but it was Kaman’s gritty work that impressed Coach Mike Dunleavy.

“When he takes his time and makes his move without [rushing shots], that’s when he’s at his best,” Dunleavy said of Kaman. “He showed a lot of patience tonight.”

It was the kind of performance that only seems to come at home, and Kaman was unable to explain why. But he admitted to being tired toward the end of the road trip, and agreed with Dunleavy’s assessment. “I did take my time a lot more than I usually do, and it worked out well for me,” said Kaman.

The game worked out nicely for the Clippers as well. They’re now 18-10 at home and still hopeful that the Lakers, whom they trail by 5 ½ games for the final playoff spot, aren’t yet out of reach.

“To come home and beat a team directly ahead of us in the playoff race is a good feeling, “said Brand. “We’re not giving up – there’s still a lot of time.”

Via RealGM

Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves

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Payton To Join Garnett In Minnesota?

The Celtics are in first place in the Atlantic Division, but reports are circulating that Gary Payton is available. One rumor has him going to Minnesota in exchange for Sam Cassell.

"I don't pay attention to none of that, neither," said Payton. "After what's happened the last two years with my trades [from Seattle to Milwaukee, then LA to Boston], all this stuff is a business for me. If they called me today or tomorrow and said, `You've got to move, Gary,' I'm going to pack my bags up and I'm going to move on to the next place and I'm going to be good with it.

"But I'm not going to go too many more places. I'm not going to keep changing to different area codes. This [next move] is going to be the last for me. If it happens again, I'm going to have to just hang it up then."

Via Boston Globe

Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics

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