The Timberwolves had won three straight since a 1-6 skid. And after overcoming a 12-point deficit in their previous game, they nearly pulled off another one. However, this comeback peaked when they tied it at 84 late in the game.
Kevin Garnett led Minnesota with 19 points and 12 rebounds. He and Howard also were hit with double technicals after exchanging shoves in the final half-minute.
Dallas had six players in double figures, with Jerry Stackhouse (14) joining all five starters.
In other games:
* At Salt Lake City, Dwight Howard had 21 points and 16 rebounds to help the Orlando Magic beat the Utah Jazz, 88-75, in a matchup of the teams with the best records in each conference.
Led by Howard, the Magic (11-4) outrebounded the league's top team in rebounding margin, 45-36, and outscored the Jazz (12-3) in the lane, 40-32. Carlos Boozer led the Jazz with 21 points.
* At Oakland, Calif., Jason Richardson scored 26 points and Andris Biedrins finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds, leading Golden State to a 111-102 win over San Antonio, which was led by Tony Parker's 28 points.
Noteworthy
* The NBA fined New Orleans point guard Bobby Jackson $20,000 for verbally abusing officials and failing to the leave the court in a timely fashion after being ejected. Jackson was tossed in the third quarter of the Hornets' 85-73 loss at Dallas on Saturday night when he was hit with two technicals.
* New Jersey's Clifford Robinson had arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage from his left knee, and there is no timetable for the return of the soon-to-be 40-year-old forward.
* Chicago players will continue to not be allowed to wear headbands, according to coach Scott Skiles, who said a team meeting was held on the issue. On Saturday, Bulls center Ben Wallace flouted the team rule against wearing headbands during a game. He was benched until he removed it. A team spokesman said Wallace declined to comment about the headband issue. Bulls general manager John Paxson, who said he spoke at length with Wallace said: "I can't allow it to fracture our team. And I don't think it will." *
