MEMPHIS, Tenn. – With starting center Marc Gasol out with a bum right ankle, the Memphis Grizzlies started a front line of forwards.

And Dante Cunningham, who filled Gasol’s spot, took advantage of the opportunity with his best performance of the season.

Rudy Gay scored 21 points, Cunningham added season highs of 13 points and 14 rebounds, and the Grizzlies beat the Timberwolves 93-86 on Tuesday night, March 27.

Cunningham, who played only one minute in the Grizzlies’ 102-96 victory at the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, played 40-plus against the Timberwolves and was 6 of 9 from the field as all five Memphis starters finished in double figures.

“Dante didn’t play much in the (Lakers) game and didn’t know if Marc was going

to play (against the Timberwolves) or not, but came prepared,” said guard Mike Conley, who had 12 points and eight assists. “That’s the kind of focus we need from everybody, and I think we fed off that.”

Marreese Speights had 18 points, and Tony Allen finished with 13 as the Grizzlies won their second straight.

Kevin Love led Minnesota with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Wayne Ellington scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Derrick Williams added 14 points for the Timberwolves, who have lost six of eight.

Both teams were dealing with injuries. The Timberwolves were without guard J.J. Barea and center Nikola Pekovic, while guard Ricky Rubio is out for the season after knee surgery. Michael Beasley is dealing with a sprained toe on

his left foot that limited him to 11 minutes and three points against the Grizzlies.

“We’re all we’ve got right now,” Love said of the teammates still in uniform. “I know other guys need to step up and play as hard as they can. We’re definitely finding out about ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Memphis played without Gasol and is still waiting for forward Zach Randolph to get back in game shape after missing 2-1/2 months with a right knee injury. Then Conley went down with a twisted ankle late in the

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Martell Webster (5) goes to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies defenders Rudy Gay (22), Dante Cunningham and Marreese Speights (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Lance Murphey)

first half, but finished the game.

“Somebody’s out; somebody has to step up,” Gay said. “Dante did it. Mo (Speights) did it also.”

The Grizzlies pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 25-19 and missing only one of six free throws in the final minute.

“Fourth quarter, we’re right there, and then they make plays down the stretch to get the stops they need,” Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said.

Memphis shot 43 percent from the floor and missed all 11 three-point attempts, but overcame that by holding Minnesota to 39 percent shooting overall and 31 percent shooting from three-point range.

Memphis led 44-41 at the break behind 12 points from Gay. Love had 11 for Minnesota in a half in which both teams committed

nine turnovers.

“It could have easily gone south for us with me going down and Marc out, guys being in different roles, different settings,” Conley said, when asked about the reserves stepping in.

Conley returned to start the second half, but Minnesota came out firing. The Wolves used a 20-6 rally to erase the Memphis advantage and take their biggest lead of the night at 63-55.

Memphis answered by closing the third quarter with a 13-4 run to retake the lead at 68-67.

“I decided to give (Love) about three minutes’ rest there, and they closed the gap and took the lead,” Adelman said. “That’s when we need to have other people step up.”

Read More: Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves look to get things turned around against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night at the FedEx Forum, where the Timberwolves have lost five consecutive times.

Minnesota has lost seven of its last 10 games and fallen to 11th in the Western Conference standings, while Memphis dropped six of its last eight games before defeating the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The Grizzlies are in the process of reacclimating Zach Randolph into the lineup following an extended absence due to a knee injury.

Kevin Love is averaging 30.8 points and 13.9 rebounds per game this month, but the Timberwolves have been rocked by injuries, especially the season-ending ACL tear to Ricky Rubio.

Minnesota will be without center Nikola Pekovic due to an ankle injury, while Jose Juan Barea is also questionable with a right thigh contusion. Neither Pekovic nor Barea played in Minnesota’s win on Sunday over the Denver Nuggets.

For more Minnesota Timberwolves coverage, visit Canis Hoopus. And for all NBA coverage, check out SB Nation’s NBA hub page.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies are hoping to pick up steam after posting much-needed wins last time out.

The Timberwolves, however, could have a hard time sustaining their momentum given their recent efforts in this series.

After a brief stop home, Minnesota heads back on the road Tuesday night looking to avoid a 10th loss in 11 meetings with Memphis and a sixth consecutive defeat at FedExForum.

The Timberwolves (24-26) entered Sunday having dropped seven of nine, including five of seven on their longest road swing in franchise history. With one game back at Target Center before another two-game trip, though, Minnesota got back on track Sunday with a 117-100 win over Denver.

Sitting a few games back of postseason position in the Western Conference, 11th-place Minnesota knows it needs to build on Sunday’s win if it’s going to climb back in the race.

“It was one we had to get before we go back on the road,” said coach Rick Adelman, whose teams plays four of its next five in opposing arenas. “After (seven) games on that last trip … we responded (Sunday). That’s what we need to do the rest of the year.

“You see all these teams ahead of us. Teams get a nice margin when they go out and win three or four in a row. That’s what we have to do.”

Two days after scoring a franchise-best 51 points in a 149-140 double-overtime loss at Oklahoma City, Kevin Love posted 30 points and a season best-tying 21 rebounds for his NBA-leading 42nd double-double. Sunday also marked Love’s seventh career 30-20 effort – the most among active players.

“I think we used to call him kind of a poor man’s Larry Bird,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “I think you can take ‘poor man’s’ off that comparison now. His ability to rebound is incredible and his offensive tools and skills are growing.”

Averaging 30.8 points and 13.9 boards this month, Love compiled 27 and 14 in a 90-86 loss to Memphis (26-21) on Jan. 4 before missing an 85-80 road loss Feb. 8 due to suspension. The Grizzlies have won six in a row in this series and five straight at home by an average of 15.4 points.

After losing three in a row and six of eight, Memphis concluded a four-game trek Sunday with a 102-96 win over the Lakers. Seven players scored in double figures for the Grizzlies, who shot 51.2 percent – their second-highest mark over the last two months.

“We were pretty fed up with the way we’ve been playing the last (several) games,” said O.J. Mayo, averaging 19.7 points on 50.6 percent shooting in six career home meetings with Minnesota. “We haven’t been playing our best basketball and we feel like we’re a much better team than we have been putting out there. It’s a step out of the mud. It’s time to get rolling.”

Zach Randolph recorded his first double-double in six games since missing 2 1/2 months with a knee injury, finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. The Grizzlies are just 3-7 with Randolph this season.

While Michael Beasley (toe) returned from a one-game absence Sunday, Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (ankle) was sidelined for the fourth time in five games and won’t be available until at least Friday. J.J. Barea’s status is uncertain after sitting out against the Nuggets with a right thigh contusion.

Minnesota Timberwolves’ Nikola Pekovic, rear, steals the ball from Houston Rockets’ Kyle Lowry (7) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, in Houston. The Timberwolves defeated the Rockets 111-98. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic, diagnosed with bone spurs in his right ankle, said Sunday, March 25 that he will consider surgery if his condition does not improve.

“I really can’t go into next season with this thing,” Pekovic said of the bone spurs before Sunday’s game against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center. “We’re going to try to figure out some things in the next few days.”

Pekovic has missed three of the Timberwolves’ past four games because of a sore left ankle and will not play in Sunday’s game. He also is expected to miss the Timberwolves’ next two games at Memphis and Charlotte. Pekovic said he hopes to play Friday night against the Boston Celtics at Target Center.

Pekovic said the bone spurs

developed in his right ankle from “overcompensating” to keep pressure off his left ankle. Pekovic, who ranks fourth in the NBA in shooting percentage (56.5 percent), has been the Timberwolves’ starting center since Feb. 4. He’s averaging 13.5 points and 7.4 rebounds.

Follow Ray Richardson at twitter.com/twolvesnow.

The Oklahoma City Thunder hopes to break its current streak as they prepare to welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Chesapeake Arena on Friday, March 23. Over their last eight games, the Thunder have yet to win two straight since the beginning of June. As a matter of fact, they are only 7-5 overall in the month of June.

With their win-loss-win-loss pattern over the past couple of weeks, the night’s game with Minnesota will give them a chance to get back on track. It could be nice to say that Minnesota is struggling right now, only 4-6 in their last ten, but two of the teams the Thunder lost to in this current streak were both teams with losing records as well, including the Utah Jazz, who sit only 2.5 game ahead of Minnesota in the Northwest Division.

The Timberwolves are led, as always, by double-double master Kevin Love, who is averaging 25.7 points and 13.7 rebounds a game for the season, his 40 double-doubles an NBA best. With Spanish newcomer Ricky Rubio, who is averaging 8.2 assists a game, Love found a nice running partner. Unfortunately, Rubio underwent ACL surgery on Wednesday and is out until sometime next year.

The Timberwolves average 98.2 points a game but they live and die with Kevin Love, who ranks as the fourth best scorer in the NBA, almost two full points ahead of Russell Westbrook, who sits in fifth place, but almost two behind No. 2 man Kevin Durant.

The Thunder have beaten Minnesota 10 consecutive times but understand that they can’t take anyone for granted after losing to both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards this season. They hope the addition of Derek Fisher will help them pull out of their mini slump and get things rolling again as they head into the final month of the regular season.

Russell Westbrook is averaging 17.4 points and 10.8 assists during the Thunder’s ten-game winning streak against the Timberwolves and finished the Thunder’s December win with 28 points and six rebounds. Oklahoma City won that first game with their division rivals, 104-100.

Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and is an avid sports fan that has lived in Oklahoma for over 40 years. He used to religiously follow the Dallas Mavericks until Oklahoma City found a team to call their own.

Source: NBA.COM

Other articles by Shawn S. Lealos:

Read More: Stephen Jackson (F – SAN), Tim Duncan (F – SAN), Gary Neal (G – SAN), Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ never led against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night in a 116-100 loss. The Spurs have now won their last 15 games at home against the Timberwolves and the Timberwolves have lost six of their last eight.

The Spurs were up by as many as 23 in the game and outrebounded the Timberwolves by 15, 56-41. San Antonio doubled up Minnesota on fast break points, 24-12, and benefitted from seven extra shots.

San Antonio saw six players in double figures, led by Tim Duncan with 21 points in 24 minutes. Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal each added 16 off the bench.

Minnesota was led by Jose Barea, who scored 18 off the bench. Minnesota’s starters shot 17-for-46, so they had to rely on their bench for much of the game.

They play again in Oklahoma City on Friday.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. For more on the San Antonio Spurs, head over to Pounding The Rock. For all your NBA news and analysis, head over to SB Nation’s NBA hub.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Tim Duncan had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-100 on Wednesday night despite playing most of the game without All-Star guard Tony Parker.

Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal each scored 16 points for the Spurs (30-14), who won their fourth straight game and fifth in their last six.

Parker left with tightness in his left hamstring with 8:03 remaining in the first half. He spoke briefly with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich before heading to the locker room with two points and six assists.

Kevin Love had 17 points and 12 rebounds for his league-leading 40th double-double, but Minnesota lost for the fourth time in six games to fall further behind in the Western Conference playoff race.

Parker has missed two games this season for the Spurs, who lost backup T.J. Ford to retirement earlier this month. With Parker out, Neal is the primary backup point guard. The team sent rookie point guard Cory Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League on Tuesday.

Minnesota had won the previous two games in the season series, which concluded Wednesday. The first victory snapped a 16-game skid for the Timberwolves in San Antonio, while Manu Ginobili broke his left hand in the second game. The Spurs guard missed 22 games after that injury.

The Timberwolves were playing without starting center Nikola Pekovic, their second-leading scorer and rebounder. The second-year big man went back to Minnesota before the game to have his sore left ankle examined. He also will miss Friday’s game at Oklahoma City, which ends the team’s seven-game road trip.

Danny Green had 14 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs, who outrebounded the Timberwolves 56-41. J.J. Barea added 18 points and 11 assists for the Timberwolves.

With Pekovic out, Minnesota went with a smaller lineup, starting Love at center. Before the game, Minnesota coach Rick Adelman was blunt in his assessment of the team’s other likely option, starting Darko Milicic at center.

“He hasn’t done anything to give you faith that he’s going to go out and do the job,” Adelman said before the game. “He’s gotten himself out of shape, and I don’t think he’s been as driven as you’d like.”

Milicic didn’t play.

The Spurs led 56-47 at halftime behind Duncan’s 13 points and 11 rebounds. With Minnesota playing a smaller lineup, the Spurs outrebounded the Timberwolves 31-21 and scored 28 points in the paint.

San Antonio hit 13 of 20 shots in the third quarter to extend its lead to 91-71 entering the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves closed to 93-77 early in the period before Neal scored seven straight points. Love didn’t play in the fourth quarter.

Notes: The Spurs retired Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 after the game. Bowen was on the league’s All-Defensive team eight times and started on the Spurs’ championship teams in 2003, 2005 and 2007. . Spurs F Matt Bonner missed the game with back spasms. “He just came up tight yesterday in practice,” Popovich said. “I don’t think it’s anything real serious, but we don’t want to take any chances with him.”

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

SAN ANTONIO
– Tim Duncan had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-100 on Wednesday night despite playing most of the game without All-Star guard Tony Parker.

Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal each scored 16 points for the Spurs (30-14), who won their fourth straight game and fifth in their last six.

Parker left with tightness in his left hamstring with 8:03 remaining in the first half. He spoke briefly with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich before heading to the locker room with two points and six assists.

Kevin Love had 17 points and 12 rebounds for his league-leading 40th double-double, but Minnesota lost for the fourth time in six games to fall further behind in the Western Conference playoff race.

Parker has missed two games this season for the Spurs, who lost backup T.J. Ford to retirement earlier this month. With Parker out, Neal is the primary backup point guard. The team sent rookie point guard Cory Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League on Tuesday.

Minnesota had won the previous two games in the season series, which concluded Wednesday. The first victory snapped a 16-game skid for the Timberwolves in San Antonio, while Manu Ginobili broke his left hand in the second game. The Spurs guard missed 22 games after that injury.

The Timberwolves were playing without starting center Nikola Pekovic, their second-leading scorer and rebounder. The second-year big man went back to Minnesota before the game to have his sore left ankle examined. He also will miss Friday’s game at Oklahoma City, which ends the team’s seven-game road trip.

Danny Green had 14 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs, who outrebounded the Timberwolves 56-41. J.J. Barea added 18 points and 11 assists for the Timberwolves.

With Pekovic out, Minnesota went with a smaller lineup, starting Love at center. Before the game, Minnesota coach Rick Adelman was blunt in his assessment of the team’s other likely option, starting Darko Milicic at center.

“He hasn’t done anything to give you faith that he’s going to go out and do the job,” Adelman said before the game. “He’s gotten himself out of shape, and I don’t think he’s been as driven as you’d like.”

Milicic didn’t play.

The Spurs led 56-47 at halftime behind Duncan’s 13 points and 11 rebounds. With Minnesota playing a smaller lineup, the Spurs outrebounded the Timberwolves 31-21 and scored 28 points in the paint.

San Antonio hit 13 of 20 shots in the third quarter to extend its lead to 91-71 entering the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves closed to 93-77 early in the period before Neal scored seven straight points. Love didn’t play in the fourth quarter.

Notes: The Spurs retired Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 after the game. Bowen was on the league’s All-Defensive team eight times and started on the Spurs’ championship teams in 2003, 2005 and 2007. . Spurs F Matt Bonner missed the game with back spasms. “He just came up tight yesterday in practice,” Popovich said. “I don’t think it’s anything real serious, but we don’t want to take any chances with him.”

The Minnesota Timberwolves had everything going for them: a young team with a new coach, a budding All-Star, and one of the league-leaders in assists. Now, the team finds itself in a difficult spot because of injuries that have plagued key players during the 2011-2012 season.

Ricky Rubio‘s ACL is the most glaring injury. Rubio had moved into a starting role for the Timberwolves, and was widely considered to be one of the top young point guards in the NBA. While he still hadn’t found his shooting touch, he was averaging over eight assists per game and two steals to go along with it. His “on the court” leadership was clear, and numbers could not adequately reflect his impact on the Wolves. Since Rubio’s injury, the Timberwolves are 1-4 and have lost critical ground in the Western Conference playoff race.

J.J. Barea, who was expected to fill a leadership role with his veteran experience, has suffered from a strained hamstring and sprained ankle, which has limited him to only 27 games this year. Barea’s play has been inconsistent, largely due to the lack of steady play because of injuries.

Nikola Pekovic, who has been a beast in the middle for the Timberwolves all year long and has loosened up defenses around Kevin Love, has recently been affected by a sore ankle. Pekovic is averaging over 13 points per game, and his replacement, Darko Milicic, has not been able to find the same success.

Kevin Love has struggled with back spasms as of late, holding him out of a few games and limiting his performance in others. While Love’s numbers haven’t been affected, it has been apparent in grimaces and reduced playing time that he is still not one hundred percent.

Michael Beasley, who had come on recently by scoring fifteen points in a game against the Lakers and fifteen more against the Suns a few nights later, has been held out of games because of a sore toe and looks to be a step slower. While Beasley’s injury isn’t considered serious, any type of a foot injury is liable to slow a player down.

While the Wolves are still battling for a playoff spot, these nagging injuries may mean the difference between wins and losses. Hopefully the Wolves are able to regain their health while making a push for the 8th spot in the West.

Jack Grunpe is an avid Minnesota Timberwolves fan.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Marcus Thornton scored 24 points and the Sacramento Kings used a strong second half to beat the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves 115-99 on Sunday night.

Kevin Love had his 33rd 20-10 game, scoring 21 points and getting 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, losers of three straight and four of five. Derrick Williams had 16 points and nine rebounds.

Minnesota, which is losing ground in trying to secure a berth in the Western Conference playoffs, is 1-3 on a seven-game road trip that concludes Friday in Oklahoma City.

Minnesota 31 26 25 17 – 99

Sacramento 28 29 33 25 – 115

MINNESOTA (99): Johnson 1-6 0-0 2, Love 7-20 6-6 21, Milicic 1-2 0-0 2, Ridnour 5-13 2-2 13, Webster 4-7 5-5 14, Williams 5-8 4-4 16, Barea 3-7 0-0 6, Beasley 6-16 0-0 13, Randolph 5-8 0-0 10, Ellington 0-3 0-0 0, Lee 0-0 0-0 0, Tolliver 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 38-92 17-17 99.

SACRAMENTO (115): Salmons 7-14 0-0 15, Thompson 5-6 3-3 13, Cousins 2-8 5-6 9, Thomas 6-10 2-2 18, Thornton 8-20 6-6 24, Hayes 5-7 2-2 12, Fredette 3-11 0-0 6, Greene 5-9 0-0 11, Outlaw 2-9 1-2 5, Honeycutt 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 44-96 19-21 115.

3-Point Goals– Minnesota 6-25 (Williams 2-5, Webster 1-2, Ridnour 1-3, Beasley 1-4, Love 1-5, Ellington 0-1, Barea 0-2, Johnson 0-3), Sacramento 8-28 (Thomas 4-6, Thornton 2-8, Salmons 1-2, Greene 1-5, Outlaw 0-2, Fredette 0-5). Fouled Out– None. Rebounds– Minnesota 57 (Love 11), Sacramento 51 (Thompson 10). Assists– Minnesota 18 (Barea 4), Sacramento 21 (Fredette, Thornton 4). Total Fouls– Minnesota 19, Sacramento 17. A– 15,616 (17,317).

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Kings 115, Timberwolves 99

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Despite having the second-worst record in the Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings are proving to be a dangerous offensive team of late.

Marcus Thornton scored 24 points for the Kings, who used a strong second half Sunday night to beat the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves, 115-99.

It was the second straight impressive victory for the Kings (16-29), who humbled the visiting Boston Celtics 120-95 on Friday night. Thornton had 36 points against the Celtics and was a primary threat against the Timberwolves, but he had plenty of help with six players scoring in double figures.

“We’re having fun right now, playing the game the right way,” said rookie point guard Isaiah Thomas, who made four 3-pointers and scored 18 points. “It’s always nice when guys are knocking down shots. It makes it that much easier for me.”

The Kings were tied at halftime, but gained the lead for good by outscoring Minnesota 33-25 in the third quarter. Sacramento quickly built on its eight-point lead after three quarters and the Timberwolves trailed by double digits for much of the fourth.

“We were giving them too much room on the perimeter and easy paths to the basket in the first half,” Kings coach Keith Smart said. “I think we had them well above the 3-point line running their offense in the second half.”

With center DeMarcus Cousins having an off night and minus injured starter Tyreke Evans, the Kings needed some additional help and got it from their bench. Chuck Hayes had a season-high 12 points and eight rebounds, and Donte Greene added 11 points for the Kings, who outscored Minnesota 25-17 in the fourth quarter.

“That’s the bench’s job, that’s what we need to come in and do,” Hayes said. “We need to come in with energy and enthusiasm and we did that tonight.”

Kevin Love had his 33rd 20-10 game, scoring 21 points and getting 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, losers of three straight and four of five. Derrick Williams had 16 points and nine rebounds, Martell Webster had 14 points while Michael Beasley and Luke Ridnour had 13.

Love and reserve guard Jose Barea got into a brief shouting match on the bench late in the game. Minnesota, which is losing ground in trying to secure a berth in the Western Conference playoffs, is 1-3 on a seven-game road trip that concludes Friday in Oklahoma City.

“It’s frustrating, but nothing personal against JJ,” said Love, who made just 7-of-20 shots. “I think we were both frustrated and took it out on each other when we should have took it out on the other team. So both of us made mistakes and both of us feel bad.”

The Kings ran off five straight points, including an impressive fast-break dunk by seldom-used rookie Tyler Honeycutt with just over four minutes left that brought the crowd to its feet. The surge put Sacramento in front 110-93 with 3:42 left.

Minnesota, which is 1-4 since rookie point guard Ricky Rubio was lost for the season with a torn ACL, committed 21 turnovers, shot 41 percent, and made only six of 25 3s.

Evans, the Kings’ second-leading scorer, missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle. Although they both were in uniform, reserves Francisco Garcia (sprained right wrist) and J.J. Hickson (back spasms) didn’t play.

The Kings host the Grizzlies Tuesday night.

Clippers 87, Pistons 83 (OT)

LOS ANGELES — Chris Paul scored nine of his 19 points in overtime and added a season-high 15 assists, carrying Los Angeles past Detroit. Blake Griffin had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and he tipped in Paul’s missed layup with 19 seconds left in regulation before Paul swiped the ball from Tayshaun Prince to send it to overtime. Greg Monroe scored six of his 23 points in overtime and added 15 rebounds for Detroit.

Hawks 103, Cavaliers 87

CLEVELAND — Joe Johnson scored 28 points and Atlanta rolled past Cleveland. Atlanta had only 10 players available, but took an early lead that it never relinquished. Alonzo Gee matched a career high with 20 points to lead Cleveland, which has lost three straight. Rookie Kyrie Irving scored 19 points and had 10 assists for his first career double-double.

Heat 91, Magic 81

MIAMI — Dwyane Wade scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, Chris Bosh had 23 points and Miami beat Orlando to extend its home winning streak to 13 games. LeBron James finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and five steals for the Heat. Dwight Howard finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Orlando.

Suns 99, Rockets 86

PHOENIX — Michael Redd scored a season-high 25 points off the bench and Phoenix beat Houston for its fourth straight win. Channing Frye scored 19 and Marcin Gortat had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who moved within a half-game of the Rockets for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Phoenix, which moved over .500 for the first time this season at 23-22, is 11-3 over its past 14 games and 8-1 at home since the All-Star break. Luis Scola scored 18 points and Goran Dragic had 16 for the Rockets, who have lost eight of 11. Marcus Camby made his Rockets debut, recording eight points and eight rebounds in nearly 20 minutes.

Jazz 103, Lakers 99

LOS ANGELES — Paul Millsap scored 24 points, Enes Kanter had 17 points and eight rebounds, and Utah handed Los Angeles just its second home loss since Christmas. Rookie Alec Burks scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter for the Jazz, who snapped the Lakers’ five-game winning streak while winning three straight games of their own for the first time in two months. Utah has posted back-to-back wins without leading scorer Al Jefferson, who attended his grandmother’s funeral in Mississippi this weekend. NBA scoring leader Kobe Bryant had 15 points on 3-for-20 shooting for the Lakers, punctuating his horrific night by missing a tying 3-point attempt in the waning seconds. Andrew Bynum had 33 points and 11 rebounds, making 12 of 14 shots.

WARRIORS VS. MINNESOTA

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. at Oracle Arena

TV/Radio: CSNBA; 680

Timberwolves update: After winning three straight in early March to get a season-best two games above .500, Minnesota has lost five of six. … With the loss of PG Ricky Rubio, swingman Martell Webster has moved into the starting lineup. In the first four games he started, he averaged 6.5 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Minnesota All-Star PF Kevin Love entered Sunday averaging 25.7 points (fourth in the NBA) and 13.7 rebounds (second).

Warriors update: Golden State, loser of three straight, is six games under .500, equaling its season low. … Point guard Nate Robinson has started the

last four games. During that span, he’s averaged 17.3 points on 49.1 percent shooting with 6.0 assists in 34.8 minutes. … The trade of big man Ekpe Udoh has led to a jump in minutes for C Andris Biedrins. He’s averaged 20.5 minutes the last four games, putting up 2.5 points and 3.0 rebounds during that span. Before the trade, Biedrins hadn’t played 20 minutes in a game since Feb. 9.

Timberwolves injuries: PG Ricky Rubio (torn left ACL) is out.

Warriors injuries: C Andrew Bogut (fractured left ankle) is out. PG Stephen Curry (sprained right ankle) is day-to-day.

– MARCUS THOMPSON II