Anthony Edwards scored 23 factors and made 3 of 4 free throws within the closing 12 seconds for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 114-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night time.
Naz Reid had 20 factors and a season-high-tying 12 rebounds, and Rudy Gobert added 17 factors and 12 rebounds for the Wolves, who matched their season greatest with 21 3-pointers on 40 makes an attempt.
“After we go to the paint the place there’s a crowd, make a kick out. It’s simply easy basketball stuff we’ve been doing very well,” coach Chris Finch stated.
Steph Curry scored 31 factors for the Warriors, however he missed the tying 3-point attempt with 1:27 to go.
MPR Information is your trusted useful resource for the information you want. Along with your assist, MPR Information brings accessible, brave journalism and genuine dialog to everybody – freed from paywalls and boundaries. Your reward makes a distinction.
After rebounding a compelled airballed 3-pointer by Edwards, Curry took the rebound all the way in which for a layup that reduce the result in one. However Edwards bought fouled and made two foul photographs, earlier than rebounding Klay Thompson’s missed 3-pointer from the wing — a play Wolves assistant coach Micah Nori appropriately warned the gamers to observe for within the huddle.
Mike Conley added 14 factors and 7 assists for the Wolves (49-22), who’re one recreation behind Denver (50-21) within the Western Convention race and a half-game again of Oklahoma Metropolis (49-21). The Nuggets handed the Thunder, who misplaced at Milwaukee on Sunday.
The Warriors led by 12 factors within the first half. With essentially the most prolific 3-point shooter within the historical past of the NBA on the opposite aspect in Curry, the Wolves placed on an out of doors taking pictures show in tribute.
With Curry resting late within the third quarter and nicely into the fourth firstly of a five-games-in-eight-days journey, the subs carried the Wolves on a plus-12 stretch. Nickeil Alexander-Walker hit three 3-pointers throughout that run.
“Everyone was speaking, speaking,” Edwards stated. “It was an excellent factor to see. I used to be pleased sitting over there. I can relaxation and get a break.”
This was Golden State’s solely go to to Minnesota this season, giving each groups greater than 4 months to chill off from the consecutive video games the Wolves received in San Francisco, the second of which Draymond Inexperienced was ejected from within the opening minutes for placing Gobert in a headlock.
The Warriors (36-34) had been embarrassed by their lack of effort in a 12-point loss to Indiana at house on Friday, nonetheless looking for themselves with their maintain on tenth place within the Western Convention for the ultimate play-in spot in precarious place with surging Houston (35-35) one recreation behind them.
“The habits had been a lot improved tonight — the defensive focus, the trouble, the power,” coach Steve Kerr stated. “I’m assured that if we compete and play like that these final 12 video games that we’re going to place ourselves in place.”
The Wolves had eight turnovers of their first 17 possessions over lower than eight minutes, they usually set a season low with 18 factors within the first quarter, however Reid got here to their rescue once more.
The fan favourite, who delighted the Goal Middle crowd with 18 factors on his seashore towel giveaway night time on Friday in a decisive win over Cleveland, made his first 5 makes an attempt from 3-point vary. Reid is averaging 14.6 factors in 15 profession video games in opposition to the Warriors, the second-highest of his profession in opposition to some other NBA crew.
“We’re very deep. This crew is super,” Reid stated. “Everyone places their greatest foot ahead, so all people has the correct intentions. Everyone has the correct mindset. It’s anyone’s day at any second.”
Up subsequent
Warriors: Go to Miami on Tuesday.
Timberwolves: Host Detroit on Wednesday.