Timberwolves Eat Up Kings

Terrell Brandon didn't play, and the Minnesota Timberwolves didn't need him.

With Brandon sitting on the bench in a white suit, the Timberwolves still had enough to beat the Sacramento Kings 101-95 Friday night.

Brandon and newly-acquired Brian Evans are expected to play tonight in Utah. The trade wasn't 100 percent completed by Friday evening.

"Did we miss Stephon? Sure," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "But this proves what this team is made of, we're a good team. We'll win because of our system."

The system relies heavily on Kevin Garnett, and he delivered as the Timberwolves led the entire game. Despite picking up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, he had 26 points and 17 rebounds.

"In the two games against us he's been terrific," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "He made some big shots and got some huge rebounds. Garnett causes a lot of problems. He's a real star, a key guy to build around."

A three-point play by Lawrence Funderburke and Peja Stojakovic's 3-pointer pulled the Kings to 88-86 with 5:12 remaining. Anthony Peeler connected on a 3-pointer and Garnett scored on a short jumper as the Timberwolves went ahead 93-86 with 2:01 left.

Peeler finished with 20 points and point guard Bobby Jackson had 15 points and nine assists. Reserve Sam Mitchell added 12 points.

"I'm sure they miss Marbury, but they came out and played hard," said Jason Williams, who led the Kings with 17 points. "They got a win when they needed one."

Chris Webber had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento, which dropped its second straight. Stojakovic finished with 16 points and Funderburke added 14.

"We're going through a little lull right now," Adelman said. "We need to fight through it together and get this turned around in the right direction."

Garett got going early, scoring 14 points as Minnesota led 34-20 after one quarter. The lead was 56-47 at the half. Garnett missed much of the third quarter, but Peeler scored seven points as the Timberwolves held a 77-69 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Notes: Minnesota had 22 first-half points from its bench. ... John Thomas, formerly with the Houston Rockets organization, will become the president of the Sacramento Kings, effective July 1. He replaces Rick Benner. ... The Kings shot 22 free throws in the first half to six for the Twolves. ... Jackson had eight assists in the first half.

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