In the first three games of the Western Conference finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves had a lead in the final five minutes of every game in the series, and every time they would lose,
The same thing happened in Game 4; Minnesota had a lead in the final five minutes, but Karl Anthony Town stepped up this time. He scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth, and Anthony Edwards added 29 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists as the Timberwolves avoided the sweep and defeated the Mavs 105-100 at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night.
The series now stands at 3-1, with the next game being crucial for both teams. Game 5 will take place on Thursday night in Minnesota, and it could be a game-changer for the Timberwolves or a chance for the Mavs to seal the series.
For the first time in this series, Towns was making shots. Coming into Game 4, Towns was 3/22 from three-point range, but in Game 4, he was 4/5 from deep, including three threes in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota’s two best players, Edwards and Towns, got it done in Game 4; conversely, Dallas’ two starts did not shoot very well. Luka Doncic had a triple-double with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, but he was 7/21 from the field. Kyrie Irving finished with 16 points and shot 6/18 from the floor. After the game, both Doncic and Irving took responsibility for the loss.
“I think that games on me,” Doncic said. “I just didn’t give enough energy. So, we got to do better. They won one game. We just got to focus on the next one.”
Irving, who fell to 14-1 in closeout games, also took responsibility for the loss.
“There were a few times I got in the lane and was indecisive,” he said. “I turned the ball over late, so a lot of this is on me being able to start the game well and also finish the game well. We had spurts, I had spurts, but I have to put a full 48 minutes together for my teammates and be better for them.”
Doncic and Irving were off, and Dallas missed Dereck Lively, so their loss in Game 4 was not surprising. Give Minnesota credit; they battled, and their stars came to play. If Towns continues to play the way he’s capable of playing, the Timberwolves can extend the series.
Dallas will need a big effort in Game 5 to put this series away.
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