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Timberwolves on top after grizzly battle

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MINNEAPOLIS (REUTERS) — Chauncey Billups had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead Minnesota to a 92-81 win over the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night, securing a playoff spot for the Wolves for the sixth straight season.

With Kevin Garnett going 6 for 22 from the field, Billups, who notched his first career triple-double, picked up the slack in an otherwise lackluster effort by Minnesota, which built several double-digit leads only to have one of the NBA’s worst teams pull back into the game.

The Wolves, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for a fifth straight season last year, appeared to be pulling away heading into the fourth quarter. Garnett hit a turnaround jumper in the lane to give the Wolves a 62-48 lead at the 6:38 mark of the third.

But Memphis wouldn’t go away.

The Grizzlies pulled back to within single digits during a 17-11 run to make it 73-65 early in the fourth quarter. Memphis, taking advantage of Minnesota shots that barely found the rim, pulled to 78-74 on Pau Gasol’s two free throws with 4:02 left.

But Minnesota got a three-pointer and a fast-break basket from Wally Szczerbiak and a jumper from Billups to pad the lead. Garnett hit an 18-footer after a Jason Williams bucket at the other end to put the Wolves up 88-78 with 50 seconds left.

Pau Gasol led Memphis with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jason Williams had 17 points and reserve Stromile Swift added 16 for the Grizzlies.

Despite a poor shooting night, Garnett managed 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.

Garnett went 1 for 10 in the first half, his only field goal coming on a stuff underneath the basket. Minnesota also gave up 12 points on 12 turnovers, nine in the first half.

The Grizzlies got their hands on several errant Wolves’ passes that were either too hard or too soft.

Minnesota appeared to be on its way to an early route, opening up a 32-22 lead on Anthony Peeler’s three-pointer with 7:09 left in the first half. But Memphis fought back, thanks in part to Minnesota’s sloppy ballhandling, with a 16-6 run. Williams’ driving layup made it 38-38 with 2:48 left.

The Timberwolves led 45-40 at the half.