Towns and Edwards shine as Timberwolves avoid sweep against Mavericks

The Minnesota Timberwolves staved off elimination and kept their NBA Finals hopes alive with a 105-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. This crucial win in the Western Conference Finals prevents a sweep and brings the series to 3-1 in favour of Dallas, with Game 5 set for Thursday.

Karl-Anthony Towns played a pivotal role as he scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half. Anthony Edwards also delivered a standout performance too with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, propelling the Timberwolves to their first win.

Towns, who struggled with his shooting in the series, hitting just 28% from the field previously, found his form, going 9-of-13, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. His coach, Chris Finch, praised his adaptability and confidence, highlighting Towns’ strategic play by attacking the basket before settling for three-point attempts in the second half. 

Fiery game 5 awaits at home for Timberwolves

Minnesota’s victory sets the stage for an exciting Game 5 at home. Luka Doncic, despite his sixth triple-double of the playoffs with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, was inefficient from the field, hitting only 7-of-21 shots. His co-star, Kyrie Irving, who had an unblemished 14-0 record in career closeout games, managed just 16 points on a tough shooting night.

Reflecting on the game, Doncic acknowledged his performance, saying, "That game’s on me. Just didn’t give enough energy. They won one game. We’ve just got to focus on the next one." Throughout the series, the Timberwolves have consistently held leads in the final minutes of each game but have struggled to close. However, this time, they succeeded. 

Towns, despite picking up his fifth foul in the third quarter, hit crucial three-pointers late in the game, solidifying the Timberwolves' lead. Edwards further extended the lead with a crucial jumper, and despite a late scare when Edwards fouled Doncic on a made three-pointer, the Timberwolves maintained their composure. Doncic's missed free throw and Naz Reid’s subsequent basket sealed the victory.

Minnesota’s win means they avoid becoming the 16th team out of 21 to be swept after losing the first three games of a series. Now, they aim to become just the fourth team to push the series to at least six games. Game 5 promises to be another intense battle as the Timberwolves fight to extend their season.