MINNEAPOLIS, April 12 (UPI) -- Kevin Garnett had his 71st double-double of the season with 21 points and 17 rebounds Monday as Minnesota beat Utah, 104-90, for its eighth straight win.
Latrell Sprewell scored 24 points and Sam Cassell added 18 for Minnesota (57-24), which can secure first place in the West if San Antonio loses at Portland.
Carlos Arroyo had 19 points to pace Utah (42-39), which will be eliminated from playoff contention if Denver defeats Sacramento.
Minnesota led by 23 points late in the first quarter but saw Utah climb within 79-71 on a dunk by Michael Ruffin with 8:22 remaining in the fourth.
Sprewell countered with a three-pointer just over a minute later to give Minnesota a double-digit lead, but he was whistled for a technical foul for getting in the face of Utah's Raja Bell after he was shoved while dribbling in the lane.
