NBA: Atlanta 105, Minnesota 98

ATLANTA, April 9 (UPI) -- Tyronn Lue scored 23 points Saturday night as Atlanta badly damaged Minnesota's faint playoffs hopes with a 105-98 win over the Timberwolves.

Atlanta had lost 14 in a row and won for only the third time in 33 games.

Kevin Garnett scored 31 points for Minnesota, but the Timberwolves fell four games out of the final playoff spot. Minnesota has just five games left to play.

Atlanta used an 11-2 run to close the third period and draw into a 76-76 tie.

The game remained close throughout the fourth quarter and Lue clinched the win with a field goal with 17 seconds to go that gave the Hawks a five-point cushion.