PORTLAND, Ore, March 6 (Ticker) -- Scottie Pippen made sure the Portland Trail Blazers kept winning.

Pippen scored seven of his 14 points in the final two minutes to lift the Trail Blazers to their 11th straight victory, an 85-78 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Portland matched the second-longest winning streak in franchise history. It also won 11 in a row during the 1996-97 and 1999-2000 seasons. The team record is 16 in the 1990-91 campaign.

The Timberwolves were within 74-73 after Kevin Garnett capped a 6-0 surge with a jumper at the 2:11 mark. Pippen, who made just two of his first nine shots, fired in a 22-footer with 1:53 to go.

NBA TV highlights from Timberwolves-Blazers: 56k | 300k Rasheed Wallace led the Blazers in scoring for the seventh time in their amazing win streak. Sam Forencich NBAE/Getty Images

Garnett missed a scoop shot at the other end and Pippen drilled a 3-pointer from the right corner, making it 79-73 with 1:29 left. He added two free throws 13 seconds later.

"I just wanted to be aggressive," Pippen said. "I got some great looks at the basket. I just sit back and see if my shot is there. I had some good rhythm."

"Scottie came in and seemed to make every big shot when we needed it," Portland coach Maurice Cheeks said. "He's done that so many times before and he likes to be in that position -- putting the dagger three in the opponent or hitting a couple of clutch free throws."

Minnesota cut the deficit to 82-78 and had a chance to get closer when Pippen missed a jumper. But Chauncey Billups also missed with 22 seconds left and Damon Stoudamire made two free throws to seal it for Portland.

Rasheed Wallace had 28 points and 15 rebounds for the Blazers (37-24), who survived 37 percent shooting (29-of-79) and ended a four-game slide against the Timberwolves.

The Blazers have been relying on defense during their streak, giving up an average of less than 89 points per game.

"I've talked about defense from the start but now we're talking about it at every timeout," Cheeks said. "Rather than going to (the) clipboard, we start talking about defense. Some of my assistant coaches said that's what I should be doing, because executing defense comes from repitition -- talking about it over and over again."

"Since we've been on this winning streak, we've gutted a few games out," Pippen said.

Pippen also was the primary defender on Minnesota All-Star guard Wally Szczerbiak, who was limited to 10 shots and nine points.

"Wally had to work for everything and really didn't hit his shots," Portland guard Bonzi Wells said.

"Pippen did a really nice job on Wally, but we were very inconsistent," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said.

Garnett had 19 points and 13 rebounds and former Blazer Gary Trent scored 16 points for Minnesota (40-21), which has lost two in a row and is just three games ahead of surging Portland in the Western Conference standings.

"At this stage, it's playoff basketball," Garnett said. "They've won 11 in a row and they're trying to establish themselves. We just have to come out and play aggressive."

Minnesota held a 58-56 lead entering the fourth quarter and there were six lead changes until Wells tipped in a miss to give Portland a 68-67 edge and trigger an 8-0 burst. Wallace buried a 3-pointer and Wells hit a free throw and driving layup for a 74-67 advantage with 4:23 to go.

Back came the Timberwolves. Garnett and Rasho Nesterovic threw in hook shots and Garnett's jumper made it a one-point game again.

Wells scored 14 points for the Blazers, who helped themselves by scoring 20 points off 18 turnovers by the Wolves and making 22-of-27 free throws.

Nesterovic grabbed 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which shot 42 percent (33-of-78) but attempted just 12 free throws, making seven.

Wallace scored 20 points in the first half, when Portland opened a 42-38 lead.