Grizzlies Rally To Top T'Wolves

Bryant Reeves came out of hibernation after 24 games, and the Vancouver Grizzlies finally ended their losing streak at 13 games.

Reeves scored a season-high 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Grizzlies beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 86-81 on Thursday night.

"It's a good start. I still have a lot to work on," said Reeves, who heard the loudest boos of his career from the hometown fans over the past month. "You can't get complacent as you continue to try to take steps in the right direction."

"The critics were probably right at the first of the year," sai Reeves after the Grizzlies won for the first time since beating the Lakers on Feb. 23. "But at the same time, that's in the past and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm just trying to look forward. Sometimes all it takes is one good game and one good shot and you turn things around."

The Grizzlies also recorded their first win over the Timberwolves in 11 meetings, going back to April 3, 1996.

"Well thank God for that, that's all I can say," Grizzlies coach Brian Hill said of the losing streak. "I'm getting tired of losing basketball games. This was a character win."

Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 11 of his 21 points in the final quarter to lead the Grizzlies' comeback victory.

After falling behind 77-71 on Terrell Brandon's layup with 4:49 left, the Grizzlies outscored the Timberwolves 15-4 the rest of the way, including a 9-0 run.

Following a Dennis Scott miss from 13 feet, Abdur-Rahim scored on a fastbreak dunk to put the Grizzlies ahead 78-77 with 1:57 remaining. It was a lead they never lost.

Scott, signed by Minnesota to a 10-day contract on Wednesday, then passed the ball directly to Vancouver's Mike Bibby, who scored aeasy layup for an 80-77 lead.

Sam Mitchell drew the Wolves within two points, sinking the first of two free throws. He missed the second one but Kevin Garnett got the rebound giving Minnesota a chance to pull even. That failed when Joe Smith missed a layup.

The game was finally decided by Bibby, who hit two of four free throws over the final 20.5 seconds, putting Vancouver up 84-80. The Wolves hit only one field goal in the final 3:12.

Garnett scored 20 points, but none in the fourth quarter, to lead the Timberwolves, who have lost four straight and are 1-5 since dealing Stephon Marbury to the New Jersey Nets last week.

"Next question," said Garnett, when asked if the Timberwolves are over losing Marbury.

"Chemistry's everything, it doesn't come overnight," added Garnett. "We don't have a lot of practice time, so the quicker we get our chemistry together and guys knowing what other guys like to do, I feel we'll be right back on page."

Brandon, acquired from Milwaukee to fill Marbury's shoes, had an average night, finishing with 12 points, 12 assists, but committed two of his three turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Smith, who got into foul trouble early, managed just 10 points.

"It's disappointing how we played, we're not in sync," said Minnesota coach Flip Saunders. "We're not playing with a lot of confidence. The only way that we're going to start playing better is to start playing together."

Notes: The Grizzlies were without backup center Tony Massenburg (sprained wrist) and guards Doug West (sprained foot) and Lee Mayberry (tendinitis in both knees). Things didn't get better. Rodrick Rhodes, acquired last week in a deal that sent Sam Mack to Houston, made his first start but hurt his right shoulder in the first quarter and did not return. ... The Grizzlies matched a team low by hitting only two field goals (2-for-15) in the first quarter none in the period's final 6:42.

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