MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 16 (Ticker) -- Kevin Garnett recorded 25 points and a season-high 21 rebounds, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 108-97 victory over the weary Miami Heat.

Garnett also handed out eight assists and registered his 25th career 20-20 game as the Timberwolves won consecutive games for the first time this season.

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In the second quarter, Garnett became the 16th player in NBA history to reach 14,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd of 17,347.

"I didn't even know what the cheering was about," Garnett said. "I was still talking the pick-and-roll with Michael (Olowokandi). It was a great job by everybody. I thought we shared the ball."

Off since Thursday, Minnesota controlled the boards, 49-42. It grabbed 19 offensive rebounds as it took advantage of Miami, which was playing its sixth game in 11 days.

"They drilled us and that's a great team," Miami coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We've run into some teams that are pretty well-rested. That's the NBA. Sometimes you have the advantage. Sometimes you don't. You just have to play the schedule."

Wally Szczerbiak contributed 21 points and Sam Cassell added 19 for the Timberwolves. Szczerbiak scored eight straight points for Minnesota late in the third quarter, helping the Wolves pull away.

"Rebounding had been a point of emphasis -- our spacing -- because we weren't very good at that last year," Szczerbiak said. "Going to the boards and making sure we get back on defense, even when we don't get the rebound, also is important."

"The effort on the boards was horrible," Van Gundy added. "They're a good shooting team to begin with and we can't give them second chances like that. There's got to be some will there, and we didn't have it."

Miami's Dwyane Wade returned after missing two games with a sprained left ankle and scored 25 points. However, he was held to just five points in the second half after going 8-for-8 from the field in the opening half.

"Dwyane had a great first half," Van Gundy said. "Then he tried to take the game over and made some bad decisions."

Minnesota built its biggest lead, 102-80, on Eddie Griffin's 3-pointer with 6:33 remaining. Miami ripped off an 11-0 spurt, prompting Minnesota coach Flip Saunders to briefly put Garnett and Cassell back in the game.

"We've been working on our offensive rebounding," Garnett said. "I think that's been one of our weaknesses. It's repetition, repetition, and we practice it every day."

Miami's Shaquille O'Neal registered 20 points and 15 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double.

"Our big guys did a tremendous job on (O'Neal)," said Minnesota reserve guard Fred Hoiberg, who played the bulk of the fourth quarter with four other reserves. "That's what gave us our big lead."

Miami, which shot 46 percent (34-of-74) from the field, allowed an opponent to surpass the century for the fourth time this season. The Heat trailed 57-47 at the intermission despite shooting 50 percent (17-for-34) in the opening half.

Troy Hudson added 12 points off the bench for the Timberwolves, who took the lead for good, 14-12, on Szczerbiak's jumper with 4:29 left in the first quarter.