MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 5 (BNA): Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, while Rudy Goubert had 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 113-106, on Wednesday night.
Luca Garza added 14 points off the bench for Minnesota, which saw another first-half lead in the third quarter but held on for its second straight win after sliding six games, the Associated Press reports.
“I thought defensively we were pretty much great all night,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “We gave them a lot of different looks and to close out the game, we really did a lot of winning.”
Jerami Grant scored 20 of his 26 first-half points for Portland, which trailed by about 13 points at halftime while Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simmons collected three.
Lillard finished with 27 points and Simmons 16 with the Trail Blazers, whose 18 turnovers led to 22 points for the Timberwolves.
“I wasn’t really happy from the start,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “Our mentality from the start wasn’t right. It wasn’t right. That’s our contradiction. Sometimes, we come out with the right kind of mentality, set the tone, and be the aggressor on both sides of the floor. When we don’t, you come back and want to counter-punch, and you put yourself in hard situation “.
Minnesota had no problem moving forward, as it did Monday against Western Conference leader Denver. Keeping those leads was the issue, like when the Timberwolves led NBA-worst Detroit by 18 in a Finals loss Saturday.
With Lillard and Simons finding their way, the Trail Blazers erased a seven-point halftime deficit early in the third quarter.
“I think we’re inconsistent right now,” Lillard said. “Not just game to game but quarter to quarter. We just aren’t able to maintain that level of focus, that level of urgency and energy.”
Jusuf Nurkic gave the Trail Blazers a 92-91 lead with 9:33 left in the fourth.
His fellow veterans pleaded with the young Edwards to dominate matches at certain points and he did it again. He scored six points as the Wolves went on an 11-3 run to pull back the lead for good, and the offense passed Edwards late in the fourth.
“I’m always ready for the fourth,” Edwards said. “When the fourth comes along, I say, ‘Man, now’s showtime.'” So, I’m kind of used to it now.”
Count on Luca
Garza provided the early push, scoring 11 points in the first quarter. When a sophomore rarely replaced Joubert, Minnesota went 14-1 to go ahead 25-12. Garza scored nine points during the run, capping it with a wide open 3-pointer.
“His crime was getting us out there a little bit and we were feeding him,” Finch said. “He’s a very talented offensive player, but defensively he’s been fantastic.”
PRINCELY RETURN
Taurean Prince returned from Minnesota after missing 20 games with a dislocated right shoulder. His impact was limited by a critical error, but he finished with 11 points in 21 minutes. The seven-year-old veteran also provided energy and defense off the bench.
“I feel like I’m bringing an infectious presence,” Prince said. “So, I think that’s something that comes in handy when I’m able to play.”
Tip-ins
Trail Blazers: Grant lost time in the second half with a quadruple bruise to the left but ended the game. … Gary Payton II, who made his season debut on Monday, suffered a right ankle injury. Payton has recovered from major off-season muscle surgery. Justice Winslow missed the fifth straight game with a sprained left ankle. … Nurkic and his center mate Drew Eubanks both made a mistake.
Timberwolves: D’Angelo Russell is back after missing Monday’s game due to illness. … Nas Reed missed his second straight game with back spasms and Bryn Forbes had a sore right shoulder. … Minnesota entered the day leading the league by 122 points in the third quarter.
next one
Trail Blazers: In Indiana on Friday.
Timberwolves: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
Rial