MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Sam Cassell scored 25 points and Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 13 rebounds. Latrell Sprewell added 14 points for the Timberwolves, who've won three straight and improved to 6-1 in December.

Steve Francis led Houston with 16 points.

Minnesota used a 16-4 run to take a 75-49 lead with 1:28 to go in the third quarter. Garnett blocked Jim Jackson's jumper on Houston's next possession before going to the bench to a standing ovation.

Cassell, who had six assists, went 11-for-15 from the floor in leading the Timberwolves in scoring for the third straight game.

Bulls 102, Magic 88

CHICAGO (AP) Kendall Gill scored 27 of his season-high 29 points in the second half when he made 12 of 13 shots.

Gill was just 1-of-4 with two points at the half but was nearly perfect thereafter, also contributing tough defense on Tracy McGrady. Chicago rookie Kirk Hinrich added a career-high 21 points before fouling out with 4:25 to play.

The Bulls have won two in a row for the first time this season.

McGrady scored 26 points, only eight in the second half and none in the final quarter.

Grizzlies 105, Kings 100

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Pau Gasol scored 22 points and Shane Battier keyed a fourth-quarter rally with 11 points.

Six Memphis players scored in double figures as the Grizzlies snapped Sacramento's four-game winning streak and beat the Kings for the first time since November, 2001, a string of eight games.

The teams were tied at 83 with just under eight minutes left before Memphis went on a 7-1 run for a 90-84 lead with 5:15 remaining. Sacramento got within 94-93 on a drive by Brad Miller with 3:15 remaining, but never any closer.

Peja Stojakovic led Sacramento with 27 points, while Brad Miller finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds.

MORE