The Minnesota Timberwolves dug deep for delight in Game 4, however their eyes are actually set on making historical past after an important 105-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Led by Anthony Edwards’ 29 factors and Karl-Anthony Towns’ sharpshooting, the Timberwolves goal to turn out to be the primary NBA crew ever to return again from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff sequence, with Game 5 at dwelling on Thursday as their subsequent problem.
“We just wanted to get one game and extend the series,” Towns stated. “I’ve never been swept in my career. I didn’t want to get swept. Not on their home court, hearing their fans talk trash all day.”
Luka Doncic posted a 28-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double for the fifth-seeded Mavericks, who gained the primary two video games of the sequence in a earlier journey to Minneapolis.
After Minnesota led by 12 early on, the groups battled on even phrases for the primary 18-plus minutes of the second half, with Towns’ 3-pointer with 5:41 remaining giving the Timberwolves a 92-90 lead.
The guests by no means trailed once more, thanks largely to Towns, whose 3-pointer on Minnesota’s subsequent possession made it a five-point sport.
Dallas’ greatest likelihood to attract even down the stretch got here when Doncic misfired on a 3-pointer with the hosts trailing 95-92 with 3:18 to go.
When Towns related once more from past the arc with 2:54 to go, and Edwards adopted with a financial institution shot within the lane 67 seconds later, the Timberwolves had damaged issues open at 100-92.
“That was on me,” Doncic stated. “(I) didn’t give enough energy.”
A determined 3-pointer by Doncic as he was being fouled with 13.2 seconds left saved the Mavericks alive at 103-100, however Doncic missed the following free throw.
After a timeout, Naz Reid received behind the Dallas protection for a game-clinching layup with 11.3 seconds remaining.
“We’d never lost three in a row until earlier in the playoffs. We’ve never lost four in a row,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch stated. “The guys responded. Fun team to coach because they always believe they can win, no matter what.”
The Timberwolves had been outscored 10-3, 6-0 and 14-3, respectively, on the finish of the primary three video games en path to three-, one- and nine-point losses.
They are actually 3-0 in potential elimination video games this postseason.
Edwards’ private series-high level complete got here as a part of a near-triple-double. He additionally discovered time for a team-high-tying 10 rebounds and a team-best 9 assists.
After lacking 19 of his 22 3-point makes an attempt within the first three video games of the sequence, Towns buried 4 of 5 earlier than fouling out with 25 factors. He made 9 of 13 photographs total.
The massive man had gone 22-for-50 on threes within the first two sequence.
Rudy Gobert equaled Edwards’ 10 rebounds whereas additionally finishing a double-double with 13 factors for third-seeded Minnesota, whereas Mike Conley had 14 factors and Jaden McDaniels chipped in 10.
Kyrie Irving was held to 16 factors on 6-for-18 taking pictures, whereas Jaden Hardy had 13 factors, Daniel Gafford provided 12 to enhance eight rebounds and three blocks and P.J. Washington added 10 factors.
Things had been tied at 49 on the break, with Edwards and Doncic every main their respective groups with 17 factors. Minnesota was up 78-73 heading into the fourth quarter.
“They won one game,” Doncic stated. “We’ve got to focus on the next one.”
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