• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Davis, Timberwolves rout Trail Blazers to snap losing streak

Nov 15, 2006 - 3:54 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Ricky Davis snapped the Minnesota Timberwolves' losing streak with some impressive shooting.

Davis scored 27 points and Kevin Garnett added 20 as the Timberwolves routed the surprising Portland Trail Blazers, 101-89.

Mike James had 15 points for Minnesota, which shot 52 percent (38-of-72) from the field and committed just eight turnovers.

It was a much-needed performance for the Timberwolves, who ended their four-game losing streak after winning their first two contests of the season.

"I thought (Tuesday) was a good game to get the gorilla off our back, the energy was good, we played together for two halves," Minnesota coach Dwane Casey said.

Davis shot 11-of-18, including numerous jumpers with defenders hanging all over him, and added five assists and three rebounds. However, the eighth-year guard doesn't get excited over a big performance.

"It doesn't do nothing," Davis said. "I am a veteran and I am going to keep working (his previous shooting problems) out. I see the light so I am just going to keep working and trying to get those (big nights)."

Garnett was 6-of-15 from the floor and 8-of-11 from the line with 13 rebounds and seven assists. A former MVP, Garnett took charge in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 straight points to give his squad an 88-75 lead with 5:46 remaining.

Despite his size, the 7-0 Garnett faced the basket for much of the game, which has sparked the Timberwolves' offense.

"I think Casey is just giving me options to attack, utilize my ballhandling and I know a good lot of guys that are the same size as me but not a lot of lateral movement," Garnett said. "So (he's) trying to give me an advantage."

The Trail Blazers were picked to have the worst record in the league by many preseason publications but are 4-4 despite the loss, residing in a tie with Seattle for second place in the Northwest Division.

On Tuesday, they were out of it from the start as Minnesota led by as many as 22 points in the first half and never trailed.

"Came out aggressive, totally different from the Orlando game, we weren't happy about that game at all," Garnett said. "We wanted to make more of an effort, especially with these games coming up, not just with Portland but with Cleveland and New Orleans. Pressure up and start off attacking so (Tuesday) was an example of that. (We) came out and never looked back, came out with a vengeance, anger, you know?"

Portland coach Nate McMillan thinks his team needs to come out with similar energy.

"We keep having to play from behind," McMillan said. "These teams keep jumping on us and it's taking us some time to get ourselves going. We're not able to score and we're giving up easy baskets."

Zach Randolph scored 26 points for the Blazers, who shot 46 percent (31-of-68).

"They put us in a hole, we couldn't bounce back like last time," Randolph said. "We're on their home court, they have energy and that made it tough on us."

Reserve point guard Sergio Rodriguez handed out eight assists in 12 minutes.