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--> --> Bad first quarter dooms Blazers Rasheed Wallace backs in Joe Smith during Wednesday's game, which Minnesota won 113-103. AP MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Timberwolves need to remember what worked for them against Portland. Wally Szczerbiak ended his scoring slump with 30 points, leading the Timberwolves to a 113-103 victory over the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. Minnesota shot 57 percent from the field, but better defense was the ultimate reason for the outcome. "Wally not scoring had nothing to do with the offense," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "It had to do with defense. If we're defending well, Wally's a good finisher, so guys get it out to him in the open floor." The Timberwolves have surrendered 100 points or more in 12 of 16 games, but they were tough when it mattered most. "They made a statement on the defensive end to start the game," Portland coach Maurice Cheeks said, "and we stood around and didn't move the ball. We got in a position to get back in the game, but then we started taking crazy shots." The Timberwolves won for just the third time in nine games and cooled off the Blazers, who allowed a season-high point total and lost for only the fifth time in 17 games. "Flip wanted to make defense fresh in our minds," Kevin Garnett said. Each Portland starter scored in double figures, and Bonzi Wells led the way with a career-high 35 points. Damon Stoudamire had five 3-pointers to go with 19 points and 10 assists. "It's discouraging, but at the same time the break is probably coming at a good time for us," Stoudamire said. "Everybody can go their separate ways and clear their heads - think about what they need to do when we come back." Szczerbiak had a season-low three points Jan. 29 - the same night he was named to the All-Star team - and 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting on Monday. Szczerbiak was frustrated recently, but he made up for it by going 11-for-16 from the floor and 5-for-5 from the foul line. "When we have faith in each other and help each other and move the ball, we're playing Timberwolves basketball," Szczerbiak said. "It's a lot of fun to watch and a lot of fun to play." Joe Smith had 21 points, and reserve Gary Trent added 14 for Minnesota, which was coming off a 30-point loss to San Antonio on Monday. Portland made a season-high 11 3-pointers, but had only one reserve in the scoring column: Ruben Patterson, with two points. Scottie Pippen had 16 points and 10 assists, and Dale Davis had 13 points and 15 rebounds. The game was basically decided in the first period, when Minnesota shot 68 percent from the field and led 33-16. Portland missed 12 of 18 shots. Chauncey Billups, starting for the injured Terrell Brandon, had 13 of his 18 points for Minnesota in the first half. Garnett, who had a string of 338 games scoring in double digits broken Monday, added 14 points for the Wolves. "If we play the way we're supposed to," Saunders said, "moving the basketball, low turnovers and defending, the wins and losses will take care of themselves." Notes: Brandon was held out with a sore left knee. ... Portland has lost seven of eight to Minnesota. ... The Trail Blazers are 14-2 when scoring 100 points or more and 11-21 when they don't. ... Minnesota, second in the NBA in free-throw shooting, was only 18-for-28 from the line. ... Chris Dudley's technical foul was Portland's 14th in six games. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing