Spurs dust off Timberwolves 90-88 for 3rd straight Wolves last second loss
KG 24/21, Wally 23, Wolves 1-6 three's, Win boards; Hudson spurs 2nd half run
*Boxscore *Recap *Preview *Play-by-Play *Video
*Garnett dominates Duncan but loses anyway, AP
     (Minneapolis 12/15/05 by The Poundmaster) Troy Hudson spurred a second half run, but he and Kevin Garnett missed last second tries to tie the game as the San Antonio Spurs took the Wolves 90-88 in another down-to-the-wire loss by Minnesota. It was their third narrow loss in a row.
     The Timberwolves wasted a KG "A" game tonight. Garnett had 24 points and 21 rebounds, with 6 assists. Wally Sczczerbiak added 23 points and 6 rebounds. Marko Jeric had 11 points and 6 assists in the loss.
      With 1:46 remaining in the game, Szczerbiak scored a jump shot to pull the Minnesota Timberwolves within 4 points at 89-84. When Brent Barry missed two straight free throws, Wally scored again to bring the Wolves within two 89-87 and 1:14 to go. Hudson then got an offensive foul call on Tony Parker a cagey defensive move.
     Michale Finley was the story for the Spurs tonight, having a 21 point game, much of it in the 4th quarter. Tim Duncan was held to just 13 points.
     Tim Duncan (17-4) and Garnett (12-8), who combined for three straight MVPs from 2002-04, renewed their rivalry tonight at the Target Center. The Wolves outscored the Spurs in the first quarter 21-14, but the Spurs shut down the Wolves in the 2nd quarter 25-8 to take a 39-29 halftime lead.
     The Timberwolves have lost their last three games by a combined five points, failing to execute at the end of all three contests. They went scoreless for the final two-plus minutes of Monday's 90-89 overtime loss at Philadelphia and allowed Bonzi Wells to make a 3-pointer at the buzzer of Tuesday's 93-91 home loss to Sacramento.