MINNEAPOLIS, April 11 (Ticker) -- Kevin Garnett scored 12 of his 24 points in the third quarter as the Minnesota Timberwolves sent the Los Angeles Clippers to their ninth straight road loss, 106-90.

NBA TV highlights from Clippers-Wolves: 56k | 300k

The Timberwolves (49-31) edged a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers in the race for the fourth seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

"We're just trying to control our own destiny by winning these last two games and hopefully getting home court," said Minnesota guard Wally Szczerbiak, who netted 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting. "That's our main goal. (The Lakers) are playing well, but we're just trying to get that home-court advantage. And hopefully, if we get that, it can give us an edge."

Garnett made a jump shot in the final seconds of the first quarter to give Minnesota a 26-20 lead. They held an 85-65 after three quarters before the Clippers made things interesting.

A candidate for MVP, Garnett also pulled down 15 rebounds and handed out eight assists.

"I think home-court is big to everybody," Garnett said. "Home-court is always where your heart is, and everybody is fighting for that."

Minnesota point guard Rod Strickland, playing for just the second time in the last 35 games after being activated from the injured list earlier in the day, tied a season high with 11 assists in just 18 minutes off the bench.

"He played great," Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said. "Eleven assists in 18 minutes, that's a pretty good ratio, with no turnovers."

The Clippers got as close as 90-83 in the fourth quarter on a layup by Eric Piatkowski with 8:01 left. But Los Angeles went scoreless for the next 5:45, while Minnesota reeled off 10 straight points to put away the game.

"We fought back well," Clippers forward Elton Brand said. "Of course, they're vying for a playoff spot and came out with a lot of intensity. But we played well. We just couldn't close it. They fought hard. They really wanted that victory."

Brand had 20 points and seven rebounds to lead the Clippers, who have lost three straight overall.

Lamar Odom sat out for Los Angeles with a sore left ankle, and only two starters for the Clippers -- Brand and Corey Maggette -- scored in double figures.

The Timberwolves had four of their five starters score at least 10 points, including center Rasho Nesterovic, who had 12 on 5-of-7 shooting.

Minnesota shot 59 percent (45-of-76) from the field. Los Angeles shot just 56 percent (9-of-16) at the line.