Spurs Rally Past Timberwolves 96-82

SAN ANTONIO - Manu Ginobili scored 22 points, and the San Antonio Spurs held Kevin Garnett to just one second-half basket in their 96-82 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.<br> <br> The Spurs, who trailed by double digits in the first half, made 11 of their 18 shots in the fourth quarter to break open a tie game. Minnesota, which shot 53 percent in the first half, made only three of 14 shots in the period.<br> <br> Tim Duncan added 19 points and 10 rebounds for San Antonio, and Tony Parker also scored 19 points.<br> <br> Wally Szczerbiak had 22 for Minnesota, which dropped its fourth straight road game. Garnett scored 15 points on 4-for-16 shooting and had 10 rebounds, while Troy Hudson added 14 points. Michael Olowokandi had 12 rebounds. <br> <br> Trailing by eight at halftime, the Spurs began the third quarter with a 12-2 run - capped by a putback by Robert Horry that gave San Antonio a 55-53 lead with 7:20 left. The Spurs held the Timberwolves to 32 percent shooting and forced five turnovers in the period.<br> <br> Rasho Nesterovic, scoreless in five attempts in the first half, made three straight shots and had three blocks in the second half.<br> <br> The Spurs, coming off a six-point loss Wednesday in Orlando in which they missed 13 of 26 free throws, made 16 of 19 from the line against Minnesota.<br> <br> Ginobili hit a pair of 3-pointers as San Antonio opened up a 14-8 lead, their biggest of the first half. <br> <br> The Timberwolves missed five of their first seven shots, but then made 12 of their next 13 attempts.<br> <br> Hudson made a 17-footer near the end of the first quarter for his first basket. He followed with a layup and two 3-pointers to start the second, and then found Mark Madsen for a three-point play that put Minnesota ahead 40-28.<br> <br> The Spurs got within 47-43 on a three-point play by Parker on a drive, but Garnett made two free throws and a 15-footer to close the half at 51-43.<br> <br> Notes:@ After giving up 22 points on turnovers in Wednesday&#39;s loss to Orlando, San Antonio allowed only nine points on 10 turnovers. ... The 82 points matched Minnesota&#39;s season low. ... The Timberwolves are 6-8 when scoring fewer than 100 points.

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