The Minnesota Timberwolves avoided a sobering sweep by the Dallas Mavericks in their Western Conference finals series. Anthony Edwards was the Wolves’ top scorer on the night, while Karl-Anthony Towns also produced a mightily impressive display to take 25 points and give Minnesota hope of turning the series around in their favour.
Karl-Anthony Towns was the headline maker for Minnesota Timberwolves, who finally got off the mark in their Western Conference finals series over the Dallas Mavericks with a 105-100 victory.
The Timberwolves reduced the deficit to 3-1 to prolong the series and prevent the Mavericks from completing a clean sweep, as Towns’ 25-point haul – including 20 in the second half – helped the Wolves to a crucial win.
It was a result which ensured that the Wolves avoided the unwanted record of becoming the 16th team out of 21 to suffer a whitewash defeat, after losing the first three games of a series that they started at home.
Anthony Edwards top scored on the night with 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, in what was their first conference finals series in 20 years.
Towns stressed the emphasis on coming out fighting after a sobering start to the series, and highlighted the inner strength needed to reduce the deficit.
When asked what was key on the night, he said: “Being aggressive,” in quotes published by nba.com.
“Ain’t no time to have any doubts in your mind, especially at this time, it’s Game 4, down 3-0. Ain’t no time to have any doubts.”
Towns often played close to the edge on the night, best epitomised when he elbowed P.J. Washington Jr. in going up for a shot.
That over-spilling passion extended to sidelines, as Minnesota coach Chris Finch was penalised for a technical foul following that call against Towns.
Finch has been forced to watch matches from the second row since the start of the second round of the playoffs, after recovering from knee surgery.
Wolves’ point guard Mike Conley highlighted the impact that Finch has on the side, and added: “To have him be on the sideline but behind the bench for the majority of these playoffs, you forget the impact he can have.
“When your coach is up getting technicals and yelling and when you see him hobbling around to do it, it’s impressive. It lit a fire on all of us.”
Luka Doncic did his best to turn the match in the Mavericks’ favour with 28 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, but admitted that they ran out of steam.
“That game’s on me. Just didn’t give enough energy,” he explained.
“They won one game. We’ve just got to focus on the next one.”