The message is simple. But it's an important one for Latrell Sprewell and the Timberwolves.

Wolves forward Kevin Garnett gives Sprewell a little advice before every game.

"I'm telling him to be aggressive, shoot your shot," Garnett said. "When he's aggressive, he puts not only the defense on their heels, it gives us that slasher, it gives us that guy going to the basket."

In the past four games, he has averaged 19.75 points.

"You know the playoffs are right around the corner," Sprewell said. "The more important thing is we're competing for a title. It would be nice to be a part of that history to say you were on the first Minnesota team to win the division championship."

Garnett said Sprewell's aggressiveness sets the tone for the rest of the team. The Wolves usually run several offensive sets early in the game to get Sprewell going, including one off a screen that frees him for a jumper.

"It sort of makes everybody else aggressive," Garnett said. "You see Spree going to the basket, then you think I need to go to the basket, too. Him kicking it off for us is very important. He sets the tone and it makes a big difference when he's scoring the ball. A big, big difference."

"Spree has been very aggressive lately," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. "He has turned it up. He's a barometer for this team. Offensively and defensively, the team seems to take on his personality a lot."