GARNETT TAKES OUT THE TRASH STAR'S FINAL SHOT DOES TALKING AS TIMBERWOLVES EDGE CLIPPERS MINNESOTA 96, CLIPPERS 94.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

With time winding down and his team tied, it's wasn't as if six-time All-Star Kevin Garnett needed the extra motivation.

The Clippers were trash-talking up a storm during the fourth quarter Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, up by 15 points with about eight minutes to play. But in the waning seconds, it was Garnett who had the last word.

Garnett hit a 21-foot, buzzer-beating jumper to help Minnesota defeat the Clippers 96-94 in front of 14,370 Sunday at Staples Center, capping a stunning comeback for Minnesota in a game it didn't lead until that final play.

The Clippers simply made too many mistakes - from 21 turnovers to an inopportune flagrant foul - to lose a game they should've won.

With 5.8 seconds left, the Wolves inbounded the ball to Garnett, who was guarded by Elton Brand. Brand played it smart, not allowing Garnett to drive to the basket and forcing him to take a fadeaway jump shot.

But Garnett hit it, despite Brand's best efforts.

``It was a great shot, a tough shot,'' Brand said. ``He was almost at the 3-point line. But we should have never gotten to that situation. We should have had this one.''

The Clippers took an 83-68 lead with 8:05 left when Chris Kaman made a short hook shot. After that, everything started to unravel.

Minnesota went on an 11-0 run to pull to 83-79 with 6:15 left. The turning point was a flagrant foul assessed against Doug Overton with 7:31 left.

Minnesota's Fred Hoiberg had an open layup, but Overton pushed him from behind, causing Hoiberg to crash to the floor. The flagrant foul was considered serious enough that Overton was ejected.

``In these games, one big play like that, if you go back and look at it on tape, really changed things,'' Quentin Richardson said. ``It turned out that way, so it was unfortunate.''

The Wolves' Sam Cassell was in the midst of a 15-point fourth quarter and the teams were trash talking - with Garnett and Richardson at the center of most of it. But according to Garnett, it wasn't just Richardson.

``I think the whole team, including the coach,'' Garnett said. ``It was kind of cool.''

The trash talking peaked with 1:23 left, when Garnett and Corey Maggette each were assessed technical fouls. Afterward, neither side went into what was said.

``We won the game; that's all that matters at this point,'' Garnett said. ``I'm not going to get into specifics. In the heat of the moment, everybody's saying a little bit of something. It was cool. It was a good sunny day. I felt like I was at the park.''

Despite the fourth-quarter collapse, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy made similar comments.

``Even though it was an unfortunate outcome, I was pleased about a lot of our play out there,'' he said. ``I told the guys that if you play like this every night with that kind of effort and determination, the wins will come our way.''

The Clippers (6-10) outrebounded Minnesota 42-25 and got solid performances from Maggette, who had 26 points and eight rebounds, and Marko Jaric, who scored a season-high 18 points.

The only problem was that Minnesota (12-8) was better. Latrell Sprewell scored 27 points, and Garnett and Cassell each had 24 points. Cassell also had 10 assists.

``We didn't execute down the stretch,'' Richardson said. ``We took too long to get into plays, didn't know some of the plays. There are a few things we have to work at. That's all there is.''

--Notes: Michael Olowokandi returned to Staples Center, but he missed the game because of tendinitis in his right knee. He has missed five of the past eight games with the knee problem and said he is uncertain when he will return. ... The league will review Overton's flagrant foul, and there is a chance he'll be suspended. ... Chris Wilcox missed a fourth consecutive game because of a strained left groin.

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett, left, guards Elton Brand during Sunday's game at Staples Center.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News

Box:

GAME RECAP