current location:HOME > Sports News > Tennis Life > Text content

Timberwolves survive Grizzlies comeback attempts to even the series at 2 / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-17)Tennis Life143
Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Karl-Anthony Towns responded to one of the worst performances of his postseason career with 33 points Saturday night and the Minnesota Timberwolves evened their playoff series against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies with a 119-118 (33-28, 27-28, 33-31, 26-31) victory in Game 4.

Player of the Game Karl-Anthony  Towns EFF 30 Karl-Anthony Towns Points 33 Accuracy 8-17 Rebounds 14 Assists 3

Towns hit two clinching free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining to ice the victory.

Towns, whose eight-point effort in a home loss in Game 3 equaled the second-fewest of his playoff career, rebounded with a postseason career-high in helping the seventh-seeded Timberwolves square the series at 2-2.

Unlike two nights earlier, when the Timberwolves blew a big fourth-quarter lead, they managed to hold on this time thanks to stingy defense down the stretch.

After Jarred Vanderbilt turned a D'Angelo Russell assist into a dunk for a 113-107 lead with 2:47 remaining, Minnesota scored just two more points until Anthony Edwards hit two free throws with 8.3 seconds to go.

In the meantime, the Grizzlies had four opportunities to tie or gain a late lead, but they missed two shots and a free throw before Tyus Jones missed from 3-point range with Memphis down just 115-112 with 10.5 seconds left.

The Grizzlies were forced to foul Edwards, whose two foul shots capped a 24-point night.

Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane hit subsequent desperation 3-pointers, but Towns nailed his two foul shots to provide the Timberwolves a cushion.

Towns contributed to two difference-making areas for the Timberwolves, with 3-for-5 success on 3-pointers and 14-for-17 at the free-throw line.

Minnesota outscored the guests 54-45 on 3-pointers, making 18 of 36, and 31-19 at the foul line, getting 40 opportunities to the Grizzlies' 25.

All five Minnesota starters scored in double figures, with Patrick Beverley (17 points), Vanderbilt (12), and Russell (10) joining Towns and Edwards. Jordan McLaughlin chipped in with 16 points off the bench, while Towns completed a double-double with a team-high 14 rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies / Schedule

Memphis Grizzlies Memphis GrizzliesMinnesota Timberwolves Minnesota Timberwolves124-96Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota TimberwolvesMemphis Grizzlies Memphis Grizzlies95-104Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota TimberwolvesMemphis Grizzlies Memphis Grizzlies119-118

Grizzlies standout Ja Morant was held to a postseason career-low 11 points. He took just 13 shots, making four, while spending much of his night in ball-distribution mode, racking up a game-high 15 assists.

Making eight 3-pointers in 12 tries, Bane paced the Grizzlies with 34 points. Brooks added 24, Brandon Clarke 15, and Jones 13.

Minnesota held the game's biggest lead at 52-37 with 4:47 remaining in the second quarter.

But befitting a trend in the series, Memphis countered immediately with 10 straight points, setting up a tight second half.

T'wolves: Karl-Anthony Towns 33 (5/12 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 14/17 FT, 14 REB, 6 TO), Anthony Edwards 24 (4/8 3PT, 6/6 FT, 4 AST, 3 BLK), Patrick Beverley 17 (4/6 3PT, 5 AST, 2 BLK), Jordan McLaughlin 16 (4/4 3PT), Jarred Vanderbilt 12 (6/8 2PT, 8 REB), D'Angelo Russell 10 (2/6 3PT, 7 AST).

Grizzlies: Desmond Bane 34 (8/12 3PT, 4 AST), Dillon Brooks 24 (7/16 2PT, 3/4 3PT, 4 TO), Brandon Clarke 15 (7/9 2PT, 5 REB, 4 AST), Tyus Jones 13 (2/3 3PT, 5/5 FT), Ja Morant 11 (4/11 2PT, 8 REB, 15 AST).

Full game highlights:

The wild ending of the match:

Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.
Share with friends:

“Timberwolves survive Grizzlies comeback attempts to even the series at 2 / News - Basketnews.com” ofrelated articles

Jeff Teague proposes Hawks-Pelicans trade / News - Basketnews.com

Jeff Teague proposes Hawks-Pelicans trade / News - Basketnews.com

Jeff Teague has a trade involving Dejounte Murray that he believes the Atlanta Hawks should make in the offseason....

Virtus owner addresses sponsorship concerns: 'Nothing will change' / News - Basketnews.com

Virtus owner addresses sponsorship concerns: 'Nothing will change' / News - Basketnews.com

Segafredo Zanetti ends its title sponsorship deal with Virtus, but team owner Massimo Zanetti reassures commitment amidst negotiations for a new partn...

J.B. Bickerstaff commends Cavaliers despite tough loss / News - Basketnews.com

J.B. Bickerstaff commends Cavaliers despite tough loss / News - Basketnews.com

The Cleveland Cavaliers played without star Donovan Mitchell but gave the Celtics "everything that they had" in Game 4....

Ergin Ataman on Larkin getting snubbed: 'He was the MVP of the season' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman on Larkin getting snubbed: 'He was the MVP of the season' / News - Basketnews.com

Ataman was surprised not to see Larkin on any of the two All-EuroLeague teams and declared him to be the league MVP....

Baskonia miss Liga Endesa playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Baskonia miss Liga Endesa playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz missed the Liga Endesa playoffs for the first time the new format was introduced....

Rolands Smits finalizing deal with Anadolu Efes / News - Basketnews.com

Rolands Smits finalizing deal with Anadolu Efes / News - Basketnews.com

Rolands Smits is expected to join Anadolu Efes Istanbul on a 2+1 agreement, BasketNews sources confirmed....