The Associated Press Updated: 4:15 p.m. ET Jan. 10, 2005
Most times, the Minnesota Timberwolves will have the target on their backs. This won't be one of those times.
The Timberwolves will be seeking a measure of revenge when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since last season's Western Conference finals.
The Timberwolves had lost in the first round of the playoffs seven straight years before beating Denver in five games last April. Minnesota followed that by beating Sacramento in seven before losing to Los Angeles in six.
While the Lakers were expected to struggle this season due to the departure of Shaquille O'Neal, the Timberwolves were picked by many to contend for the NBA title. But Minnesota has lost five of its last six, including Saturday's 117-114 defeat to Washington, and is just two games above .500.
Kevin Garnett finished with 25 points, 19 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks to lead Minnesota, which lost its seventh straight road game. Garnett scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, but Gilbert Arenas scored seven of his season-high 40 points over the final 2:19 as Washington avenged a 109-74 setback at Minnesota on Dec. 26.
“We heard that they were really jacked up for this game and we were really jacked up for this game,” said Garnett, who missed a jumper with 50 seconds left and launched a desperation 3-pointer that bounced off the front of the rim at the buzzer. “It was a tough night. It just came down to making plays at the end and we didn't do that.”
Minnesota fell to 5-9 against the Eastern Conference. Last season, the Timberwolves won 24 of 30 meetings against teams from the East and finished 58-24 to earn the No. 1 seed in the West.
Point guard Sam Cassell did not play at Washington after straining his right hamstring in Friday's 89-84 win over Philadelphia. Cassell, who is averaging 23.3 points in his last three starts, is questionable for Monday.
The Lakers have won three of their last five, including Friday's 111-104 victory over Houston. Kobe Bryant had 27 points and 10 assists and Caron Butler added 21 points as the Lakers shot better than 54 percent (40-of-74) from the floor.
Lamar Odom had 20 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double in the last five games. Los Angeles held Houston to 5-of-19 shooting in the first quarter and took a 61-37 lead into halftime.
“Our defense in the first half was about as good as you can play,” Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich said after improving to 2-0 against his former team.
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