Los Angeles - Kevin Garnett received the love and the Boston Celtics got the victory. Playing his first game since being traded before last season, Garnett scored 17 points and the visiting Celtics roared past the Minnesota Timberwolves 95-78 on Friday night.
Garnett missed the game last February with an abdominal strain. However, the Timberwolves' all-time leader in nearly every statistical category during his 12 seasons, was greeted to a standing ovation by the appreciative Target Centre crowd during pre- game introductions.
"To feel the love in the building is even better than winning in the place I used to play," Garnett said. "It was a good feeling."
Garnett was quiet as the Celtics trailed 39-36 at halftime. However, his energy and intensity returned in the second half.
KG soared for two alley hoop layins and made a pair of rim- rattling dunks as the defending NBA Champions outscored the T- Wolves, 35-10 in the decisive third period to take a commanding 71- 49 cushion into the final frame.
"I thought Kevin almost talked himself into not being too emotional, so he went the other way," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I like the nutty, high-energy Kevin and I thought in the second half he came out playing again."
Al Jefferson and Sebastian Telfair - two of the players traded for Garnett - scored 23 points and 13, respectively for the Timberwolves (2-9) who shot just 31 per cent (26-of-83) from the floor.
Elsewhere:LA Lakers 104, Denver Nuggets 90
Kobe Bryant scored 29 points before sitting out the final quarter while Andrew Byum had 13 along with 13 boards as the red-hot Lakers never trailed in running their league-best record to 10-1
New Jersey Nets 129, Toronto Raptors 127 (OT)
Vince Carter's 3-pointer with less than a second remaining in regulation sent the game into overtime, before making the game- winning dunk off an inbound pass at the buzzer, giving the Nets the dramatic come-from-behind road victory..
Carter finished with 39 points and Devin Harris added 30 for New Jersey, (5-6) which overcame an 18-point third quarter deficit.
Chris Bosh wasted a career-tying high 42-point effort while Spain's Jose Calderon finished with 26 and 15 assists for Toronto (6-6) which lost forward Jermaine O'Neal to a strained left knee a minute into the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia 76ers 89, LA Clippers 88
Elton Brand, making his first appearance against his former team, scored 17 points, including the eventual game-winning 15-foot jumper with 58 seconds left as the 76ers edged the short-handed Clippers.
Al Thornton scored 22 points for the Clippers (2-10), who earlier in the day acquired Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins from the New York Knicks, in exchange for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
Milwaukee Bucks 104, New York Knicks 87
Charlie Villanueva scored 20 points while Andrew Bogut had 14 with 17 rebounds as the Bucks routed the short-handed Knicks who dressed the league minimum eight players after trading away Randolph, Collins and Jamal Crawford.
Houston Rockets 103, Washington Wizards 91
Tracy McGrady had 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter when the Rockets outscored their hosts 33-14 to drop the Wizards to 1-9 on the season.
Antawn Jamison led Washington with a season-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Orlando Magic 100, Indiana Pacers 98 (OT)
Rashard Lewis scored seven of his 23 points in overtime, including the go-ahead basket with 23 seconds left, as the Magic won for the ninth time in the last 10 games.
Dwight Howard led Orlando (9-3) with 24 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks. Marquis Daniels paced Indiana (5-6) with 25 points.
San Antonio Spurs 119, Utah Jazz 94
Roger Mason scored 29 points, rookie George Hill had a career- best 23 and the Spurs (6-6) beat the Jazz in San Antonio for the 22nd straight time.
Utah (8-5) was without injured All-Stars Carlos Boozer (strained left quadriceps) and Deron Williams (ankle).
Atlanta Hawks 88, Charlotte Bobcats 83
Joe Johnson scored 30 points, Marvin Williams had 22 and the visiting Hawks bounced the Bobcats despite a career-high 26 points by rookie D.J. Augustin.
Dallas Mavericks 91, Memphis Grizzlies 76
Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points with 10 rebounds while Jason Kidd added 18 points with 13 boards as the host Mavericks beat the visiting Grizzlies for the 12th consecutive time.
New Orleans Hornets 105, Oklahoma City 80
David West scored 19 points, Chris Paul added 17 and the visiting Hornets (6-5) handed the Thunder (1-12) its 10th straight loss.
Chicago Bulls 115, Golden State Warriors 110
Larry Hughes scored 26 points, and rookie Derrick Rose had 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, carrying the visiting Bulls (6- 7) past the Warriors.
Stephen Jackson led Golden State (5-7) with 32 points.
Portland Trail Blazers 117, Sacramento Kings 94
Steve Blake scored 20 points with six 3-pointers, LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and the visiting Trail Blazers outscored the Kings 37-18 in the decisive third quarter en route to the blowout road win.
