MIAMI (Ticker) -- Kevin Garnett was determined to make sure Stan Van Gundy's first career coaching win would not come at the expense of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Garnett collected 25 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks as the Timberwolves held off the Miami Heat, 88-79, dropping Van Gundy's record to 0-6.
With the Cleveland defeating Washington, the Heat are the only winless team in the NBA.
"It is time now," said Heat coach Stan Van Gundy, who is still looking for his first career win. "We have enough people back, and tonight was a game that was winnable. I am tired of going into practice and showing film on lack of effort. I should be showing film on adjustments we need to make or things we need to do different offensively and defensively. I am tired of it. Playing time is the only way you can hold players accountable in this league."
Sam Cassell added 23 points and Latrell Sprewell 15 for Minnesota, which has had a successful couple of days in Florida. The Timberwolves routed the Orlando Magic on Friday, 100-71, and held the Heat to just 34 percent shooting (28-of-82) in this one.
"We've played now seven games in seven different cities," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "You go back-to-back on the road, and to win two playing how we played, we did some things right. We did some positive things on this trip."
Minnesota trailed, 41-40, at the half but opened the third quarter on a 15-4 run and took a 68-57 edge into the final 12 minutes. Garnett scored nine points in the quarter.
"Young teams never have the energy because the young guys do not know how to play hard for long enough," Van Gundy said. "That is something that these guys have to learn, and that is what this game came down to. (Minnesota) just had a lot more energy than us in the second half."
The Timberwolves opened a 78-59 advantage on a jumper by Sprewell with 7:20 left before the Heat pulled within 80-74 with 1:47 to play on a jumper by rookie Dwyane Wade, who scored 19 points.
"He's going through a tough time, but he's going to be a big-time player in this league," Garnett said. "I thought he did a good job out there. He's young and learning a system, but he's got all the skills."
But after a timeout, Garnett found Fred Hoiberg open at the top of the arc, and the journeyman guard nailed a 3-pointer 16 seconds later to stop Miami's momentum.
Saunders was pleased with Garnett's consistently high production.
"He had five blocks tonight, and a good all-around game - 25 points, 17 rebounds, four assists. Kind of usual game for him."
Eddie Jones scored 21 points to pace the Heat, who are off to their worst start since dropping the first 17 games in their inaugural 1988-89 season. Each of Miami's first six opponents was a playoff team last season.
"We're just not prepared to go out and win games," Jones said. "This league is all about going out and playing hard night in and night out, and we're not doing that. We're talented, but you also need to be efficient and focused."
Seeing his first action of the season after undergoing offseason left knee surgery, Heat forward Caron Butler scored nine points in 31 minutes.
"I felt OK out there," Butler said. "I was trying to get a rhythm and get adjusted, but once I got in the flow, I thought I played well. Once I get a few games in, I'll be all right."
Miami scored the first seven points and opened an early 14-4 edge, but Minnesota pulled within 24-21 after one quarter and one point at the half.
"Losing is always tough," said center Brian Grant, who had nine points and 10 rebounds. "This is probably the toughest because we played 24 minutes of good basketball and then they put it to us."
Lamar Odom, the Heat's prized offseason acquisition, had nine points on 4-of-14 shooting.
"We just have to pick it up in all aspects of our game," Odom said. "We're just not going out there with th intensity and going the things we need to do as a team."
