MINNEAPOLIS, April 2 (Ticker) -- Troy Hudson and Kendall Gill helped deal a major blow to the Seattle SuperSonics' playoff hopes.

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Hudson tied a season high with 31 points and Gill made two key plays in the final seconds to help the Minnesota Timberwolves earn a 91-86 victory over the Sonics.

Hudson shot 14-of-22 from the field and added four rebounds and five assists while committing only one turnover.

"I wanted to come in tonight and be more focused on being aggressive on the offensive end and not be too passive," Hudson said. "I think the last couple of games, I was too passive and turned down shots. Whenever I'm knocking down shots, it keeps the defense open and other guys can get their shots."

With the loss, the SuperSonics (36-38) fell three games behind the Phoenix Suns in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Seattle also trails Houston by two games.

"We still have eight to go," Seattle guard Ray Allen said. "But this is the time of year when we have to maintain. We've put so much effort into games and I think tonight it wasn't a very pretty game. ... We didn't get the stops, we didn't get the rebounds, we turned the ball voer."

With 17 seconds left and the Timberwolves leading, 88-86, Gill -- a former Sonic -- hit a jump shot from the right corner to give Minnesota some breathing room.

On Seattle's next possession, Gill stole the ball from Brent Barry and drew a foul. He hit 1-of-2 at the line to provide the final margin.

Kevin Garnett had 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Timberwolves, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Seattle has lost nine straight visits to Minnesota since winning on March 8, 1998.

"This team plays so well at home," Barry said. "We didn't knock down some shots tonight, and Troy Hudson played a marvelous game. We've had so many close games with them and it seems like we always come up just a bucket or two short when we play here in Minnesota."

Allen scored nine points in the first three minutes and led the Sonics with 19. Predrag Drobnjak scored seven of his 16 points in the fourth quarter.

"Our defense was much better," Gill said. "We didn't allow Ray Allen to get off and have a really big game. He still had (19) points, but he didn't go off for 30-something like he's accustomed to doing."

Allen shot 6-of-17 from the field and 2-of-7 from three-point range. He had seven rebounds and four assists.

The Timberwolves shot 51 percent (40-of-78) from the field. Their hot shooting helped offset the fact that they were outrebounded, 43-30.

Meanwhile, the Sonics shot 41 percent (31-of-75) and did not help themselves at the free throw line, where they hit for 73 percent (16-of-22).

"Anytime we've had good success this season, we've played well on the defensive end," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "We had held teams to 42 percent for the season. Teams have blown up on us lately. It puts far too much pressure on the offense. Tonight was a good improvement."

It was the first time in seven games since March 16 that Garnett did not lead the Timberwolves in scoring.