Minneapolis ? Kevin Garnett’s play drew nearly as much attention as his pregame criticism of Minnesota Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale.

Garnett had 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to lead Minnesota to a 109-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.

“He dominates in the first three quarters and in the fourth quarter, everybody pays attention to him and he finds everybody else,” Gilbert Arenas said. “That’s why he’s No. 1 in the world.”

Wally Szczerbiak scored 17 points, and Richie Frahm and Troy Hudson added 16.

“It took a little load off me,” said Garnett, of his teammates’ scoring.

Garnett then handled questions about his pregame comment on TNT that last year McHale, “wanted in his heart to coach, but he didn’t want the responsibility of being a coach.”

McHale took over for the fired Flip Saunders halfway through a disappointing season, filled with player bickering and lackluster performances.

“Kevin has a very, very high basketball IQ,” Garnett said after the game. “But managing egos and things, I don’t think he wants to do that.”

Minnesota's Wally Szczerbiak, center, scrambles for the ball against Washington's Gilbert Arenas, left, and Jarvis Hayes. The Timberwolves won, 109-98, Thursday night in Minneapolis.

McHale said he knew Garnett was frustrated with last season, in which the Wolves failed to make the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons.

“I hope he wants to be here,” McHale said after the game. “There’s a lot of uneasiness in the changes we’ve made.”

Spurs 86, Rockets 80

San Antonio – Tim Duncan had 19 points and nine rebounds, and San Antonio held off a late surge by Houston. Tony Parker scored 17 points for the Spurs, and Robert Horry added 16 – including a key three-pointer late in the game.

Mavericks 87, Hawks 78

Dallas – Josh Howard had 25 points and five blocked shots, and Dirk Nowitzki added 20 points and 13 rebounds, helping Dallas defeat Atlanta and extend the Hawks’ season-opening losing streak to eight games.