The Minnesota Timberwolves got the biggest win in franchise history with their best player watching from the bench.
With Kevin Garnett on the sideline after fouling out early in overtime on a questionable call, the visiting Timberwolves made seven free throws in the final 24.3 seconds to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 114-110 Thursday night and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Garnett had 33 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots before fouling out in the first 12 seconds of overtime. He had a hand on Robert Horry’s back while defending an inbounds play, and Horry appeared to flop to the floor.
Minnesota has never won a playoff series, being eliminated in the first round in each of the last six years.
“I think we relaxed a little bit when Garnett went out of the ballgame,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “They got some rebounds and some things that were really fortunate for them down the stretch.”
Gary Trent’s two free throws–his only points of the game–gave the Timberwolves a 109-108 lead with 24.3 seconds left.
After Kobe Bryant missed a driving bank shot, Marc Jackson made two foul shots with 11.6 seconds left. Shaquille O’Neal’s made one of two before Jackson added another free throw with 7.7 seconds to go.
Bryant missed a three-pointer with about three seconds to play that could have tied the score, and Troy Hudson made two free throws to complete the scoring.
Hudson added 27 points and Wally Szczerbiak scored 13.
Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points. O’Neal had 28 points and 17 rebounds and Derek Fisher scored 23, but none after the third quarter.
Magic stops Pistons
Darrell Armstrong scored 20 points and Drew Gooden added 15 to support Tracy McGrady’s 29, and Orlando beat the visiting Detroit Pistons 89-80 Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Gordan Giricek snapped out of a slump to score 10 points, all in a crucial third-quarter burst.
For Detroit, Richard Hamilton scored 22 points while Corliss Williamson added 16 off the bench. Ben Wallace set a playoff career-best with 22 rebounds.
James enters draft
LeBron James declared himself eligible for the NBA draft Friday, a move that clears the way for the nation’s top high school player to become the likely No. 1 pick. The 6-foot-8 forward led Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to three state championships in four years.
He averaged 30.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.9 steals as a senior.
The Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers have the best odds of winning the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery May 22. The draft is June 26.
RESULTS, FRIDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Detroit 80 at Orlando 89
The Pistons shot 39 percent while turning the ball over 16 times and having seven shots blocked. Point guard Chauncey Billups was held to five points with five turnovers against two assists. Jacque Vaughn drew a flagrant foul late in the first quarter when he yanked Pistons’ Ben Wallace to the floor.
San Antonio at Phoenix, late
Suns have prepared for Spurs with or without David Robinson, who is hoping to be back after missing Game 2 with a partial tear of cartilage in his left knee. Kevin Willis will be back for Spurs after being suspended for a game for a flagrant foul against Scott Williams in Game 1.
Dallas at Portland, late
The Blazers have lost 9 straight playoff games. Starting guard Scottie Pippen is hurting (swollen knee, is a gametime decision) and Derek Anderson is out of the playoffs indefinitely because of a left knee injury. Only seven teams have rebounded from a two-game deficit to win a seven game series in playoff history.
