Timberwolves 104, Kings 102: Kevin Martin poured in 31 points and Kevin Love tallied 26 points and 10 rebounds as Minnesota held off visiting Sacramento.

Rookie Gorgui Dieng started at center in place of Nikola Pekovic (ankle) and posted career highs for points (12), rebounds (11) and blocks (five) for the Timberwolves. Ricky Rubio added 12 points and nine assists as Minnesota moved within 5 1/2 games of Memphis for the eighth spot in the Western Conference.

Isaiah Thomas compiled 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds to lead the Kings, who were without star center DeMarcus Cousins (knee tendinitis). Derrick Williams collected 26 points and 11 rebounds against his former team and Rudy Gay added 14 points as Sacramento finished its seven-game road trip with just two wins.

The fourth quarter saw six lead changes before the Timberwolves finally put it away. Williams hit a pair of free throws to give the Kings a 95-94 lead with 1:25 left, but Love answered with a 3-pointer and Rubio hit one of two free throws after a steal.

Gay and Thomas each had looks at 3-pointers that would have tied it before the ball went out of bounds to Minnesota and Martin knocked down two free throws to make it a five-point game. Thomas hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final 15 seconds to give the Kings a chance, but Martin hit four more from the line — finishing 14-for-14 — to help the Timberwolves hold on.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Thomas became the eighth player in the Sacramento era to record 1,000 assists in his first three seasons with the Kings. … The Kings led 54-53 at halftime after shooting 53.7 percent before the break. … The Timberwolves won for only the third time in 15 games this season decided by four points or fewer.