MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Matthew Gamber's Teddy bear had some magic in it, just not quite enough to vault the Minnesota Timberwolves into the top two picks.

The Timberwolves got exactly what they deserved in the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday night, being awarded the No. 3 pick after finishing the regular season with the third-worst record in the league.

Assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg represented the team at the proceedings in Secaucus, N.J., bringing with him a stuffed bear in Timberwolves garb given to him by the 12-year-old Gamber.

The Brooklyn Park native is a huge Timberwolves fan and has brought the bear with him to the operating room for more than 100 surgeries in his short life, including a liver transplant. Hoiberg learned of his story through an usher at Target Center and befriended the boy.

Gamber has attended three games with Hoiberg, and the Wolves are 3-0 in them. So Hoiberg asked him for a good luck charm to bring to the lottery, and Matthew offered up the bear.

Hoiberg had the bear seated in front in front of him as the lottery order was announced. The team held a draft lottery party for fans at NBA City Restaurant, which is attached to Target Center. The place erupted when Seattle was revealed as the fourth pick, meaning the Wolves had one of the top three picks.

The air let out when the Wolves, who had a 13.8 percent chance at landing the No. 1 selection, appeared out of the envelope for the third pick.

``I would have liked it to be a little bit higher, but I'm glad we didn't fall,'' said Gamber, who listened to the broadcast on the radio at a family picnic. The family taped the television show on ESPN during which Gamber's name was mentioned and his bear received considerable air time.

The Chicago Bulls got the top pick and Miami will pick second.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.