Thursday 26 February 2015 09:11, UK
Kevin Garnett enjoyed a happy return to Minnesota as his first game for the Timberwolves in eight years ended in a 97-77 win over the Washington Wizards.
The 38-year-old spent 12 years in Minneapolis, during which time he was voted NBA MVP, before he was traded in 200,7 but he returned to a rapturous reception on Wednesday night.
He could only put up five points but Kevin Martin poured in 28 as the struggling Wolves eased to victory.
Back-up point-guard Dennis Schroder was the star for the high-flying Atlanta Hawks, pouring in 19 points in a 104-87 win against the in-from Dallas Mavericks.
Great Britain star Luol Deng scored 21 points as the Miami Heat beat the Orlando Magic 93-90 after overtime and there was another tight contest in Utah, where the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the Jazz 100-97.
City neighbours the Clippers were not so fortunate as they fell 110-105 to the Houston Rockets despite Jamal Crawford's 24 points, but the Sacramento Kings brought a win to California as they beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-90.
Wesley Matthews' 31-point haul helped Portland inflict a fourth consecutive loss on the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, lifting the Trail Blazers to a 111-95 success.
The New York Knicks slumped to an eighth straight defeat, as Evan Turner's first career triple-double - 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists - propelled the Boston Celtics to a 115-94 victory.
Charlotte snapped a five-game losing streak with a 98-86 win against the Chicago Bulls, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist leading the Hornets with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
The Phoenix Suns halted a five-game skid with a 110-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets, the Milwaukee Bucks were 104-88 winners against the Philadelphia 76ers and a career-high 25 points from Quincy Pondexter spurred the New Orleans Pelicans to a 102-96 triumph over the Brooklyn Nets.
NBA Results
Atlanta Hawks 104 Dallas Mavericks 87
Boston Celtics 115 New York Knicks 94
Chicago Bulls 86 Charlotte Hornets 98
Denver Nuggets 96 Phoenix Suns 110
Houston Rockets 110 LA Clippers 105
Milwaukee Bucks 104 Philadelphia 76ers 88
Minnesota Timberwolves 97 Washington Wizards 77
New Orleans Pelicans 102 Brooklyn Nets 96
Orlando Magic 90 Miami Heat 93
Portland Trail Blazers 111 San Antonio Spurs 95
Sacramento Kings 102 Memphis Grizzlies 90
Utah Jazz 97 LA Lakers 100
