Garnett carries Wolves past Heat

Dwyane Wade’s return was overshadowed by the MVP.

Kevin Garnett came close to another triple-double, finishing with 25 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 108-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Wade, after missing the last two games with a sprained left ankle, scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half for the Heat. Shaquille O’Neal added 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Garnett stole the show, though — surpassing 14,000 career points and guiding the Timberwolves’ best all-around effort of the season. They were ahead for the final 40-plus minutes, building a lead as big as 22 when Eddie Griffin hit a 3-pointer to make it 102-80 with 6 1/2 minutes left.

Miami used an 11-0 run to pull to 102-91, but Garnett sank a 21-footer with 1:24 left to end the spurt.

Jazz 107, Bobcats 105: At Charlotte, N.C., Raja Bell made a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left and hit two clutch free throws to lead Utah over Charlotte.

The Jazz, off to a 6-1 start, trailed by 22 and needed a furious comeback to get back into the game.

Bell’s 3-pointer cut Charlotte’s lead to 105-104, then he gave Utah its first lead on two free throws with 15.5 seconds to go. That put the Jazz up 106-105, and the Bobcats set up for a final shot.

But Gerald Wallace missed his jumper for Charlotte. Utah got the rebound, Carlos Boozer was fouled, and he made a free throw to wrap it up.

Boozer led Utah with 34 points and 13 rebounds. Keith Bogans led Charlotte with a career-high 28 points.

Hawks 88, Rockets 84: At Atlanta, Antoine Walker had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the Hawks rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final 6:11 to beat Houston.

Yao Ming, who had 27 points and 11 rebounds, ended Houston’s 0-for-10 skid from the field with a 5-footer with 18 seconds remaining, cutting Atlanta’s lead to 86-84. But Jon Barry made two free throws to seal it for the Hawks.

Yao hit 13 of 15 shots, and Tracy McGrady scored 21 points, but the Rockets lost for the third time in four games.

Suns 107, Mavericks 101: At Dallas, Steve Nash scored 17 points and had a season-best 18 assists, many setting up Amare Stoudamire’s 34 points, to lead Phoenix past the Mavericks.

Nash spent six memorable seasons in Dallas. He signed a six-year deal worth at least $60 million with Phoenix in July.

Nash was rolling from the start, scoring or assisting on 12 of Phoenix’s first 17 baskets. He opened the second half with a 3-pointer and another jumper and soon after the Suns were up by 15.

Spurs 99, Knicks 81: At San Antonio, Tim Duncan had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and began a key third-quarter burst that helped the Spurs beat New York.

Tony Parker added 18 points and a season-high nine assists for the Spurs.

New York pulled to 54-52 with 8 minutes left in the third quarter on a tip-in by Nazr Mohammed.

But Duncan made a 12-foot turnaround jumper to start a 13-4 run for the Spurs, and the lead rarely fell below 10 points thereafter.

Kings 113, Bulls 106: At Sacramento, Calif., Peja Stojakovic scored 29 points, Mike Bibby added 27 and the Kings kept Chicago winless.

Bobby Jackson scored 20 points and Chris Webber had 19 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for the Kings, who remained unbeaten at home with their 11th straight win over the Bulls.

Clippers 101, Raptors 89: At Los Angeles, Marko Jaric had 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to lead the Clippers past Toronto.

Corey Maggette added 22 points, Elton Brand had 19 and all five L.A. starters scored in double figures.

Vince Carter scored 21 points for the Raptors. 15 in the first quarter.

Around the league

Raptors star Vince Carter was informed by the NBA that he no longer can listen to music on his iPod during the warmup period before each game. Carter recently started listening to the music on his headphones, a violation of the league’s rules on proper attire. … Unhappy he hasn’t been traded, Glenn Robinson rejoined the 76ers. The Sixers announced two weeks ago they would try to deal the disgruntled player, who has been away from the team because of family issues.