Timberwolves End Two-Game Losing Streak

SEATTLE – Latrell Sprewell emerged from a shooting slump to score 31 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves ended a two-game losing streak with a 105-92 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday night.

Kevin Garnett had 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who pulled away in the fourth quarter after taking a four-point lead into the final period. Garnett had 11 of his points in the fourth quarter.

Sprewell shot 11-for-23, including 2-for-8 from 3-point range, after averaging 10.2 points and shooting 34 percent in his previous 10 games.

The Sonics, who lost their season-worst fifth in a row, got 37 points from Ray Allen, who missed Sunday night’s loss to Detroit because of the flu. Without Allen, Seattle tied a franchise low with 65 points against the Pistons.

Allen shot 13-for-24 in 41 minutes, and Brent Barry returned to the Sonics’ lineup in a reserve role and contributed three points in 24 minutes. He had missed 20 games with a broken finger.

After Vladimir Radmanovic hit a 3-pointer for Seattle with 1:30 gone in the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves led only 79-77. Minnesota then went on a 9-0 run as Sprewell made four free throws, Troy Hudson sank an 18-footer, Sprewell made another free throw and Wally Szczerbiak scored on a putback.

Seattle led 52-48 at halftime as Allen had 19 points.

A putback by Jerome James cut the Timberwolves’ lead to 75-71 at the end of three periods.

Notes: The Sonics were 5-15 in the 20 games that Barry missed with a broken ring finger on his right hand that he injured in a game against Dallas on Jan. 27. The popular Barry, in his fifth season in Seattle, received a loud ovation when he entered the game with 5:49 left in the first quarter. … The Timberwolves are 4-3 with C Michael Olowokandi back in their starting lineup. He returned Feb. 20 after missing 36 games while recovering from arthroscopic surgery to his right knee. Olowokandi grabbed 10 rebounds.