Charlotte:   Kevin Garnett celebrated the return of the National Basketball Association's leather ball with a 32-point performance in Minnesota's 102-96 victory over Charlotte on Monday.

Garnett also grabbed 14 rebounds, while Ricky Davis added 25 points as the Timberwolves rallied from a 20-point deficit in a game that saw the NBA revert to its old regulation ball after player complaints about the high-tech synthetic ball introduced this season.

Minnesota posted the fourth-largest comeback in franchise history to win for the fourth time in six games.

After trailing 50-30 in the second quarter, Minnesota used a 14-0 run early in the fourth to take an 82-80 lead with 8:18 left.

Garnett, one of the most vocal critics of the synthetic ball, scored four points and Davis and rookie Randy Foye hit 3-pointers during the spurt.

Matt Carroll scored eight consecutive points for the Bobcats, including two baskets from the arc, to put them in front, 88-86, with 5:24 to go. However, Mark Blount converted a three-point play and Garnett hit two free throws and a basket as Minnesota took a 93-90 advantage with 3:33 remaining.

Garnett made 9-of-18 shots and Blount scored a season-high 21 points for the Timberwolves, who outscored Charlotte 34-18 in the fourth quarter.