MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Kevin Garnett was more than happy to

hand the Washington Wizards their first losing streak of the

season.

Garnett collected 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists as the

hot-shooting Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Wizards,

109-98.

Garnett connected on 12-of-19 attempts from the floor for the

Timberwolves, who shot 54 percent (46-of-86) and had six players

reach double figures as they ended a two-game skid.

Wally Szczerbiak added 17 points and seven rebounds for

Minnesota, which held a 45-31 advantage on the glass.

Minnesota led throughout the fourth quarter but held just an

86-83 edge after a jumper by Washington's Caron Butler with 8

1/2 minutes to play. But the Timberwolves embarked on an 11-2

run, opening a 97-85 cushion on a reverse layup by Troy Hudson

with 5:16 left, and cruised thereafter. Hudson and Richie Frahm

both scored 16 points off the bench, including 11 each in the

final period.

Gilbert Arenas scored 33 points to pace the Wizards, who have

lost eight of the last nine games in the series. Washington,

which was coming off a 114-99 loss at Cleveland on Tuesday, made

8 -of-13 3-pointers but allowed Minnesota to sink 7-of-13 from

the arc.