MINNEAPOLIS (AP) &045; Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 29 points, including 11 in the third quarter, and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 113-86 on Friday night.

Szczerbiak pumped in seven quick points in the first two minutes of the third quarter, part of an 11-1 run that gave the Timberwolves a 58-43 lead. Minnesota stretched its lead throughout the fourth quarter and cruised to its largest margin of victory this season.

Kevin Garnett scored 28 points and led Minnesota with 10 rebounds and seven assists for his 21st double-double of the season.

Elton Brand scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Clippers, who have lost four straight.

Minnesota, which shot a total of 17 free throws in its previous two games &045; including none in the first half of a loss at Toronto on Wednesday &045; had no problem getting to the foul line against the Clippers. They made 30 of 37 attempts, with Garnett connecting on 11 of 13 and Szczerbiak going 9-for-9 from the line.

The Clippers made seven of their first eight shots, including three long jumpers by Marko Jaric. But Garnett scored 11 points in the first quarter, and his three-point play in the final minute gave Minnesota a 24-23 lead.

Los Angeles continued to have trouble getting the ball inside, and when the jump shots stopped falling, Minnesota was able to build its lead. The Clippers shot 39 percent in the first half, going 6-for-25 from the floor.

Notes: Minnesota forward Latrell Sprewell left the floor less than three minutes into the game after colliding with Bobby Simmons. Sprewell has a sprained left foot and didn’t return.