SACRAMENTO, CALIF. ? While the Timberwolves headed for the team bus after an impressive victory over the Kings, Wally Szczerbiak recited most of the Memphis Grizzlies’ remaining schedule by heart as he chatted with Ervin Johnson about Minnesota’s playoff chances.

“We need Denver to beat Memphis,” Szczerbiak said. “We can’t relax.”

The Timberwolves will need some help to earn their ninth straight playoff appearance. They also need every victory they can get — and they certainly had more passion and accuracy than their opponents in Sacramento.

Kevin Garnett had 30 points and 13 rebounds, and Latrell Sprewell added 23 points in Minnesota’s 112-100 victory Sunday.

Sam Cassell scored 13 of his 16 points in the first half for the Timberwolves, who have won four straight regular-season games in Sacramento. Minnesota made 53 percent of its shots and took a 16-point lead early in the fourth quarter before holding on to extend the longest current winning streak of any opponent at Arco Arena.

With their sixth victory in seven games, the ninth-place Timberwolves (39-35) stayed three games behind Denver and Memphis for the final two Western Conference playoff spots. The Grizzlies beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 102-82, Sunday, while the Nuggets were idle.

But after a disappointing start that cost coach Flip Saunders his job, the Timberwolves began a playoff push two weeks ago with the first of five straight victories. That winning streak ended Friday night in Phoenix, but Minnesota faces just three teams with winning records in its final eight games.

Pacers 79, Wizards 76

Washington — Stephen Jackson and Anthony Johnson each scored 15 points to help Indiana overcome a 13-point third-quarter deficit to win its third straight.

Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett, left, drives around Sacramento's Kenny Thomas during the first half of the Timberwolves' 112-100 victory. Minnesota won Sunday in Sacramento, Calif.

Cavaliers 100, Mavericks 80

Cleveland — LeBron James scored 37 points, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 21 to keep Cleveland tied with Indiana for the sixth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

76ers 97, Celtics 93

Boston — Allen Iverson scored 38 points for Philadelphia, which blew most of a 26-point first-quarter lead but held on to move three games behind the Celtics in the Atlantic Division. Paul Pierce had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Raef LaFrentz had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics.

Bucks 106, Knicks 102

Milwaukee — Mo Williams made four free throws, and Desmond Mason added another in the final 16 seconds.

Warriors 101, Sonics 92

Oakland, Calif. — Jason Richardson scored 22 points, and Baron Davis had 19 points and nine assists in Golden State’s victory over cold-shooting Seattle. The playoff-bound Sonics missed a chance to clinch the franchise’s first division title since winning their third straight Pacific Division crown in 1997-98.

Clippers 111, Hawks 91

Atlanta — Elton Brand scored a season-high 33 points as the Clippers had only their second road victory in two months, beating lowly Atlanta.

Pistons 113, Raptors 103

Toronto — Chauncey Billups scored eight of his 26 points during a decisive fourth-quarter run, and Detroit beat Toronto.

Grizzlies 102, Lakers 82

Memphis, Tenn. — The fading Lakers lost Kobe Bryant and yet another game. Mike Miller scored 22 points to help the Grizzlies move into a tie with idle Denver for seventh place in the Western Conference. Bryant left game in the second quarter with a right leg injury.

Suns 91, Rockets 78

Houston — Shawn Marion had 23 points and 18 rebounds, and Joe Johnson added 19 points.