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Garnett, Timberwolves end Bulls' seven-game winning streak

Dec 10, 2006 - 4:05 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Superstar Kevin Garnett helped end one winning streak while keeping another alive.

Garnett recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and the Minnesota Timberwolves had all five starters score in double figures in a 91-81 victory over the Chicago Bulls, who had their seven-game winning streak stopped.

A high school standout in Chicago, Garnett made 6-of-19 shots and 6-of-7 free throws for Minnesota, which has won a season-high four straight games. The perennial All-Star also collected four steals and three blocks.

"We've been playing together as a team and we have been sharing the ball quite a bit on offense," Garnett said. "Defensively we have been tenacious - that's where we have been able to compete the best. We just need to work a little more on the offensive side."

With Philadelphia superstar Allen Iverson asking a trade, Garnett is not concerned with recent trade rumors flying around.

"We heard all this stuff about Iverson late (Friday). We can't worry about things like that," Garnett said. "We must continue to stay focused and play the way we have been playing."

In the third quarter, Garnett drained a 16-foot jumper and Ricky Davis scored on an easy layup with just under seven minutes remaining that capped a 10-0 surge and helped create a 63-42 lead, the largest of the game.

"That was a huge (run), it allowed us to put the game away," Minnesota coach Dwane Casey said. "The Bulls are a scrappy team. You have to battle them all the way."

Davis and Mike James each scored 15 points and Trenton Hassell and Mark Blount added 11 apiece for the Timberwolves, who shot 44 percent (34-of-77) from the floor.

"It's up there with the best games we have played this year," Davis said. "They made their run but we had an answer for it. I think we did a little growing up out there."

Ben Gordon scored 21 points off the bench and Andres Nocioni added 17 for Chicago, which shot 39 percent (30-of-76).

"We need to do a better job that we did the last two nights," said Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich, who had 15 points and eight assists. "We only had one big run in the game. That was about it."