Whether it's in Los Angeles or Minnesota, Tacoma Dome or KeyArena, seven years ago or now, Anthony Peeler is going to stick it to the Sonics.

The 32-year-old reserve guard drilled seven 3-pointers and scored 26 points to help the Timberwolves hold off the blitzing Sonics, 111-106, last night at the Target Center.

Kevin Garnett scored 29 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Minnesota, but the Wolves needed every one of Peeler's shots to stop Rashard Lewis from personally pulling off the upset.

Lewis, who ended up with 30 points and 10 rebounds, scored 11 points in the last 2:30, including a pair of threes in the final minute. Minnesota, which led by double digits throughout most of the second half, needed two free throws by Wally Szczerbiak with 4.4 seconds left to finally finish off the Sonics.

That left coach Nate McMillan in a mood to praise his team's effort rather than pick at the little things, which could have made a difference.

"We did a good job of hanging in there," McMillan said. "I like the fact we competed."

There were so many positive numbers for the Sonics: 51 percent from the field, 91 percent from the line, a negligible rebounding disadvantage of 35-34 to one of the NBA's best teams on the glass.

Individually, in addition to Lewis, Gary Payton was productive as always with 25 points, and Vin Baker was aggressive inside, challenging Garnett and producing 23 points to go with nine rebounds.

All this at the end of a three-game road trip in an arena where the Sonics were blown out the last time they were here.

"The guys should feel good about themselves," Payton said.

Unfortunately, the Timberwolves felt better after improving to 25-9 with their sixth consecutive victory.

They were joyously talking about all of the amazing shots that Peeler hit, as well as one he didn't. Chauncey Billups nailed the shot of the night in what looked more like a volleyball set than a field-goal attempt.

Closing to 94-86 on a Shammond Williams three, with McMillan pleading for a defensive stop, the Sonics scrambled around and were totally disrupting the Timberwolves when Billups connected.

That was one in a million," Payton said. "He grabbed it in the air and slung it up there. You could see how the game was going at that time."

Added McMillan: "It not only gives them momentum, it drains you mentally."

Somehow, the Sonics sucked it up regardless. But Peeler's earlier damage was too much to overcome, not to mention too much to take.

It's not like it was a shocking development. Peeler, 32, who has a career average of 11 points, routinely lights up the Sonics. He averaged more than 20 points against them last year.

In the first round of the 1998 playoffs that the Sonics barely escaped, he averaged 16 points, and he had 14 rebounds in one game.

In the first round in '95, Peeler combined with Nick Van Exel in a southpaw shootout that ended the Sonics' season.

Peeler can't explain it. He just knows it "goes back to when George Karl was there. We had a lot of battles."

Because of his accuracy, Peeler has prevailed, taking advantage of a double-teaming strategy that is supposed to disrupt, not backfire.

"There was a lot of open space for me out there," Peeler said. "They were giving us shots that we take in practice. You've got to make sure you knock 'em down."

And if they're the Sonics, knock 'em out.

"I call him Seattle Slew," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "They trap a lot, and when we are moving the basketball, he is going to be the one open, as he buries himself in the corner. They couldn't get to him quick enough."

But what choice did they have? Because Garnett is so gifted, the Sonics had to double-team him or leave themselves susceptible to a career scoring night.

"You have to pick your poison," Saunders said. "If they go to stop A.P., then they have go guard K.G. one-on-one on the block."

The problem was that Garnett managed to be effective anyway. The Wolves have other options as well in Billups, Szczerbiak and Gary Trent. They didn't even have two more, with injured starters Joe Smith and Terrell Brandon watching from the bench.

"They have moved into the elite group of teams in this league," McMillan said.

At 18-17 after a 2-1 trip, the Sonics appear to be on the next rung down but showing signs of improvement as they prepare for their next game tomorrow in KeyArena against Cleveland.

WOLVES 111, SONICS 106

NEXT: Sonics vs. Cavaliers, tomorrow, 7 p.m., KeyArena

TV/RADIO: No TV; KJR-AM/950

Taking a cross-court pass from Peeler while standing right in front of McMillan, Billups re-directed the ball in one motion from 20 feet, and it swished.