MINNEAPOLIS – Kevin Garnett had 35 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves hold off Dallas 114-109 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Sam Cassell added 26 points, and Gary Trent had a season-high 18 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which won its second straight at home after losing five of its first nine at Target Center. The Wolves improved to 4-4 against Western Conference teams.

Steve Nash had nine of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, and Antawn Jamison had 14 of his 22 in the final period for the Mavericks, who dropped to 3-9 on the road after losing at Boston 105-103 Wednesday night.

Nash and Jamison accounted for all but four of Dallas’ fourth-quarter points.

Down by nine in the first quarter, the Wolves used a 14-0 run to take a 26-21 lead that they didn’t relinquish until Nash hit a 3-pointer that put the Mavericks back in front, 99-98 with 5:07 left.

Garnett – who had his 13th career triple-double – made back-to-back baskets, though, and Minnesota pulled away. Cassell buried a 3-pointer with 3:03 left to make it 105-100. Trent and Cassell both grabbed key rebounds down the stretch.

Games between these two teams are always marked by plenty of contact and feisty play, and this night was no exception. The Wolves, and their fans, howled about several calls and non-calls, and the Mavericks contributed their share of complaints.

Kings 101, Hornets 90

NEW ORLEANS – Brad Miller had 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 101-90 victory over the struggling New Orleans Hornets.

Mike Bibby added 19 points, Bobby Jackson had 17 and Peja Stojakovic 17 for the Kings. New Orleans (17-10) has lost three straight – all by double-digit margins – for its worst losing streak of the season.

The dry spell has come with new coach Tim Floyd needing only one victory to surpass his personal best for victories in a season. The most he had in any of his three-plus seasons in Chicago was 17.Baron Davis led New Orleans with 23 points.

In their first season running a motion offense, the Hornets created open shots on the perimeter. But unlike earlier in the season, they couldn’t make them.

Steve Nash had nine of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, and Antawn Jamison had 14 of his 22 in the final period for the Mavericks, who dropped to 3-9 on the road after losing at Boston 105-103 Wednesday night.

Nash and Jamison accounted for all but four of Dallas’ fourth-quarter points.

Down by nine in the first quarter, the Wolves used a 14-0 run to take a 26-21 lead that they didn’t relinquish until Nash hit a 3-pointer that put the Mavericks back in front, 99-98 with 5:07 left.

Garnett – who had his 13th career triple-double – made back-to-back baskets, though, and Minnesota pulled away. Cassell buried a 3-pointer with 3:03 left to make it 105-100. Trent and Cassell both grabbed key rebounds down the stretch.

Games between these two teams are always marked by plenty of contact and feisty play, and this night was no exception. The Wolves, and their fans, howled about several calls and non-calls, and the Mavericks contributed their share of complaints.

The Wolves beat the buzzer three times, getting a 3-pointer from Garnett at the end of the first quarter, a soaring baseline jumper from Cassell at the end of the second and a 22-footer by Keith McLeod at the end of the third to put the Wolves up 84-82.

Notes: C Shawn Bradley (back spasms) and swingman Michael Finley (sprained toe) did not travel with Dallas. … The Mavericks announced Jamison as a starter at center, but Danny Fortson went out to midcourt. The Wolves countered by putting Ervin Johnson in for Trent, trying to gain a significant height advantage for the opening tip. Seeing that, Dallas coach Don Nelson called for Jamison – prompting Minnesota coach Flip Saunders to try to sneak Trent back in. Finally, official Ron Garretson told both teams to go back to their original lineups. … Trent spent three seasons with Dallas from 1998-01.

AP-ES-12-18-03 2221EST