SEATTLE, April 9 (Ticker) -- In the fourth quarter, the Seattle SuperSonics changed the tempo and changed their fortunes.

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Ray Allen scored 33 points and was part of a trapping defense that rallied the SuperSonics to a 100-92 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and kept alive their slim playoff hopes.

Trailing by six points early in the fourth quarter, the SuperSonics used a half-court trap that totally took the Timberwolves out of their comfort zone.

"We felt like if we are physical with this team tonight and kept pressure on them, that (in) the fourth quarter, they would wear down," Sonics coach Nate Mcmillan said. "The fourth quarter, we were able to do that. We extended our defense at the right time."

In the final period, normally surehanded Minnesota committed nine turnovers. Seattle turned those mistakes into a handful of easy baskets and 18 total points.

"We beat ourselves," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "I thought they got extremely aggressive in the fourth quarter and we didn't respond to their aggressiveness."

"The defense tonight was tremendous," Allen said. "I caught myself sitting back and watching a few times because I wasn't as active on my guy."

Allen made 10-of-18 shots, including 5-of-10 3-pointers. He eclipsed 30 points for the fourth time since being acquired by Seattle at the trading deadline.

Rashard Lewis added 19 points for the Sonics, who improved to 17-9 since the trade and remained three games behind Phoenix for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. However, their chances of returning to the postseason are slim.

Seattle (39-39) holds the tiebreaker edge on Phoenix and hosts the Suns on the final day of the season. However, it has a treacherous "Texas Triangle" road trip beginning Friday.

"It's gonna be tough and starting off with San Antonio is the big key," Lewis said. "They are one of the top teams in the league, and I think that coming out playing against them is gonna set the tone for the rest of the trip."

Kevin Garnett had 29 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists for the Wolves (48-31), who surrendered 33 points on 18 turnovers -- nearly five above their average.

"Turnovers were the game," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "Part of our ability to have success is our ability to not beat ourselves. When you give up 33 points on 18 turnovers, that means they're almost scoring every time you're turning the ball over."

Minnesota remained one game behind fourth-place Portland in the West. It also is just one-half game ahead of the surging Los Angeles Lakers.

"We just have to take care of ourselves," Wolves guard Troy Hudson said. "Win from here on out and we'll be OK. We can't really worry about the Lakers. We just have to go out and win the next three."

A jumper by Wally Szczerbiak, who scored 26 points, gave the Wolves a 74-68 lead with 9:39 remaining. Kevin Ollie answered with a three-point play that triggered a 20-8 run fueled by the defense.

Szczerbiak made a runner, but Allen sank two free throws and a transition 3-pointer off a turnover. A steal by Allen led to a jumper by Vladimir Radmanovic that gave Seattle a 78-76 lead with 7:31 to play.

Ollie had a steal that set up a three-point play by Lewis, whose steal led to two free throws by Allen. Minnesota's Anthony Peeler threw away a pass, and Lewis sank a short jumper for an 88-82 advantage with 3:11 to go.

After Lewis made a pair from the line to keep the lead at six points, the Wolves threw away the inbounds pass and Radmanovic sank a jumper for a 92-84 bulge with 2:35 left. "In that one stretch in the fourth quarter when we got those steals, it just blew the game open," Allen said. "They didn't know what hit them and we got a lot of easy baskets, and that helped our offense, too."

A 3-pointer by Garnett pulled Minnesota within 94-90 with 1:03 remaining, but Radmanovic made a free throw and Garnett lost his dribble, leading to two foul shots by Allen.

Radmanovic scored 12 points and Ollie added 10 for the Sonics, who shot 46 percent (35-of-76) and made 23-of-27 free throws.

Hudson scored 13 points and Nesterovic added 11 for the Wolves, who shot 49 percent (40-of-82) but attempted just 12 free throws, making 10. Hudson had eight turnovers.

"I was the ringleader of the turnovers, so I take responsibility for that," Hudson said. "I think there was no confidence, especially on my part."

Szczerbiak scored 12 points in the first quarter as Minnesota opened a 24-19 lead. A boost from its bench pulled Seattle within 46-44 at halftime.