Danny Granger broke out for a season-high 36 points to lead the visiting Indiana Pacers to a 109-99 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Darren Collison added 20 points and nine assists and Roy Hibbert collected 15 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers, who have won three straight to pull within 1 1/2 games of the Chicago Bulls for first place in the Central Division.

Granger suffered through a long slump through the middle of January but has begun to pull out of it lately. Over the last five games, the veteran swingman is averaging 24.8 points.

Granger scored 17 in the third quarter alone as Indiana began to open up a lead. His two free throws with 2:15 left in the frame gave the Pacers a 74-64 edge. Granger also showed some fight in the third, drawing a technical foul for getting into a shoving match with former Team USA teammate Kevin Love.

Granger completed a four-point play with 6:33 left in the fourth, knocking down the 3-pointer while getting fouled by Michael Beasley to push the lead out to 94-77 and allow Indiana to cruise to the finish.

Love finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who missed a chance to climb to .500.