The Timberwolves are up to their old tricks again. While teams like the Mavs, Kings, Spurs and Lakers get most of the attention, Kevin Garnett & Co. just keep rolling along quietly. Never too high, never too low.
At week’s end the T’wolves had won 16 of 20 to climb into the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings. Kevin Garnett’s MVP-caliber play has been the main reason, of course. But the return of Wally Szczerbiak has been just as important, giving KG some much-needed scoring help.
Is this the year the T’wolves finally get out of the first round of the playoffs? Probably not. But one has to admire the way Garnett and coach Flip Saunders always keep this team at a high level regardless of injuries or circumstance.
| SI.com's Marty Burns |
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| Rank |
LW |
|
Team |
| 1 |
3 |
 |
San Antonio Spurs
Even without David Robinson (knee, back), they’ve been unstoppable. Sunday’s win at Sacramento was their eighth straight on the same road trip. But can they do it again Thursday at Dallas? |
| 2 |
1 |
 |
Dallas Mavericks
They bounced back from a three-game losing skid by beating the Grizzlies and Heat over the weekend. Eduardo Najera has returned to provide his customary spark off the bench. |
| 3 |
4 |
 |
Detroit Pistons
No glamour, just good basketball. Winners of seven of eight through Sunday, the Motown Marauders just get the job done. They’re also 2-1 against both the Pacers and Nets. |
| 4 |
9 |
 |
Minnesota Timberwolves
Led by All-Star MVP Kevin Garnett, they were 6-0 in February and riding a 12-game win streak at the Target Center. Their sweet-shooting offense had scored over 100 points in eight of nine games. |
| 5 |
2 |
 |
Indiana Pacers
They lost Sunday in Atlanta, but Friday’s victory over the Hawks improved their OT record to 6-1 on the season. It also tied a franchise record for most OT victories in a season. |
| 6 |
5 |
 |
New Jersey Nets
Rodney Rogers is back, and they’d won eight of 12 through Sunday. But will Richard Jefferson back up his words (“We’re the best team in the East”) when they host the Pacers on Thursday? |
| 7 |
8 |
 |
Sacramento Kings
Until Chris Webber returns, they’re going to have some ups and downs. But Peja Stojakovic has been hot, Bobby Jackson is back, and they’re in the midst of a season-long seven-game homestand |
| 8 |
6 |
 |
Portland Trail Blazers
They were red hot until back-to-back home losses to the Spurs and Celtics cooled them off. Rasheed Wallace and Dale Davis have been carrying the load while they try to regain their rhythm. |
| 9 |
7 |
 |
L.A. Lakers
After scoring 35 or more points in eight straight games, Kobe Bryant has moved into the MVP race. But will Shaq’s sore knee be ready for Tuesday’s rematch with Yao Ming and the Rockets at Staples? |
| 10 |
10 |
 |
Utah Jazz
Neither rain nor snow nor broken beak … Karl Malone broke his nose, but returned to finish with a game-high 33 points in an OT win at the Rockets. In his 18 seasons, the Mailman has missed just 10 games. |
| 11 |
11 |
 |
Phoenix Suns
They beat the Celtics on Sunday to snap a two-game home losing skid. Amare Stoudemire (25 points, 17 rebounds) appears to be getting warmed up for Wednesday’s showdown with Yao Ming. |
| 12 |
14 |
 |
Boston Celtics
Antoine Walker is still bothered by a sore knee, but they won their first three games on a six-game Western road trip. Despite roster changes, they were 30-22 through Saturday, identical to last season. |
| 13 |
13 |
 |
Milwaukee Bucks
Toni Kukoc isn’t the only reason they had won 13 of 16 through Saturday to climb back into the East playoff race. Over that same span, Tim Thomas averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. |
| 14 |
15 |
 |
Philadelphia 76ers
Hello, Larry! Larry Brown is taking calls for Derrick Coleman and Keith Van Horn. But after Sunday’s win at the Nets made it three in a row, he might have to put the trade talk on hold. |
| 15 |
17 |
 |
New Orleans Hornets
They’re just trying to hang on until Baron Davis (knee surgery) can make it back, perhaps by March 1. P.J. Brown has moved into second place in the NBA in shooting (53.2 percent). |
| 16 |
12 |
 |
Houston Rockets
With six losses in 10 games, they’re starting to fade. Meanwhile, Yao admits he’s tired, and he probably won’t get much rest with Shaq and Amare awaiting him this week. |
| 17 |
16 |
 |
Washington Wizards
Happy Birthday, Michael. Jordan turns the big 4-0 as snow forces the cancellation of Monday’s game with the Raptors. With Jerry Stackhouse (groin) ailing, His Airness could probably use the rest. |
| 18 |
21 |
 |
Golden State Warriors
They lost at the T’wolves on Sunday to miss a shot at sweeping a four-game road trip for the first time since 1969. Still, Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson have brought their All-Star buzz back to the Bay. |
| 19 |
18 |
 |
Orlando Magic
They deny Grant Hill is on the trade block, but they sure could use some immediate scoring help. Sunday’s loss at the Raptors was their sixth in seven games and their second straight at the buzzer. |
| 20 |
20 |
 |
New York Knicks
Don’t look now, but Sunday’s win over the Lakers pulled them within five games of .500 for the season. With the Wizards and Magic struggling, the playoffs aren’t out of the question. |
| 21 |
24 |
 |
Toronto Raptors
Take that, T-Mac! Toronto fans go wild as heroes heap misery on former Raptor Tracy McGrady and the Magic in Sunday’s 99-97 thriller. Since Vince Carter returned, Toronto has won six of its past eight. |
| 22 |
19 |
 |
Seattle SuperSonics
With losses in nine of 12 games, including six straight, their playoff hopes are fading fast. The good news is that five of their next six games are at Key Arena, and as of Sunday, Gary Payton hadn’t been traded. |
| 23 |
22 |
 |
Chicago Bulls
Tyson Chandler is starting to show signs of progress. Three nights after contributing 21 points and 17 rebounds in a loss at the Sixers, he racked up 20 points and 22 boards in a win over the Nuggets. |
| 24 |
23 |
 |
Atlanta Hawks
Chris Crawford (remember him?) is back on the injured list with a balky left knee that might require a third surgery. Meanwhile, GM Pete Babcock contemplates putting a scalpel to his roster. |
| 25 |
25 |
 |
L.A. Clippers
They blew a six-point lead in the final six minutes in Saturday’s home loss to the Celtics. It was their ninth loss in 11 games, and the 17th time this season they have squandered a fourth-quarter lead. |
| 26 |
26 |
 |
Memphis Grizzlies
At the All-Star break, they had lost 188 man-games to injury, third-most in the NBA behind only the Raptors and Kings. Only Pau Gasol had started every game for them this season. |
| 27 |
27 |
 |
Miami Heat
Can Pat Riley find a taker for Brian Grant or Eddie Jones before the trade deadline? How about Alonzo Mourning? Either way, it’s going to be a long second half of the season for Riles & Co. |
| 28 |
28 |
 |
Denver Nuggets
Nene Hilario has quietly moved into Rookie of the Year consideration. Through Feb. 14, he was averaging 9.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and a team-high 1.74 steals while shooting a team-best 50.0 percent. |
| 29 |
29 |
 |
Cleveland Cavaliers
Rookie Dajuan Wagner is making the most of his chance to play backup point guard. Over a recent five-game span, Wagner racked up 18 assists with just six turnovers for a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. |
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