The Timberwolves were coming into Game 4 feeling really good about the Game 3 win, but not content. The Timberwolves knew that they got a legacy game from LeBron James in Game 3 and wanted to make sure they could avoid that at all costs. The Lakers felt like they could have won Game 3 and wanted to come in here on Sunday to make a statement in the series.
The Timberwolves were off to a sluggish start in this game as a whole, but Julius Randle got the party started. Randle has been super aggressive in this series as he’s been able to put pressure on the Lakers’ defenders inside/out. Julius Randle has found his rhythm in this series, and he’s made the right play to get his teammates involved constantly. Randle has been able to get to his spots with ease as he’s taking the challenge of being defended by LeBron James. It seemed like every time the Lakers would go on a run, Randle was able to do something that worked in the Timberwolves’ favor. Randle was the heart and soul of this team tonight, finishing with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Jaden McDaniels had a quiet night from a scoring aspect, but the defensive job that he’s been able to do with Luka Doncic has been key to the Timberwolves’ success. Luka was able to get off tonight for 38 points, but he had to earn the majority of them against the Timberwolves’ defense. The Wolves had to defend 28 shots from Luka, and he only made 13 of them tonight.
The Lakers didn’t sub any players in the 2nd half, which is unheard of, but when the season’s on the line, you have to do what you have to do. LeBron James played 46 minutes tonight, which was impressive in itself as he was able to score 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Timberwolves were giving LeBron some different looks on the defensive side as Anthony Edwards stepped up to the plate to defend him. Anthony Edwards was trying to rough up LeBron and make everything tough on him, especially in those types of minutes played for the King. The Timberwolves almost shot themselves in the foot on some missed opportunities defensively because of doubling Luka/LeBron. When they would double-team one of them, it left Rui or Austin open, and tonight they were knocking down their jumpers at a high clip. Reaves/Hachimura shot a combined 10/22 from the field, and if they even missed a couple of those, the score would be significantly different. The Wolves were able to survive that shooting, but it also came down to the multiple stops and effort from Donte DiVincenzo, who was able to do everything for Minnesota.
The 4th quarter was all about Anthony Edwards and his shot-making ability tonight. Edwards was exhausted out there with his hands on his knees, but he was still out there making the right play. Edwards, when he put his mind to it to attack the paint, was ruthless, as Los Angeles didn’t want any parts of that. Anthony Edwards had the 3-pointer dropping, and he was able to create for himself/teammates at an elite clip. Edwards has been playing good, but tonight he was on another level as he’s figuring out how to read the defense and know when to attack or get others involved. The growth that Ant-Man has been showing in this series has been unreal, and we’re witnessing the passing of the torch because he’s trying to take it. Anthony Edwards finished tonight with 43 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists as he has Minnesota in the driver’s seat in this series. One player that can’t be forgotten in this game was Naz Reid, as he was able to come in the 4th and make 2 critical shots that put the Wolves back up. The confidence that Naz Reid has been playing with is special, as he has been a mismatch nightmare for the Lakers all series long. Naz Reid has been able to adapt to his situation with minutes and opportunity because it has been working big time.
The Timberwolves now lead 3-1 s the series heads back to LA on Wednesday. The Timberwolves will look to finish them off in LA, but they can’t let up off the gas as LeBron has come back down 3-1 before in his career. The Timberwolves need to make sure they play aggressively and lock in on both ends of the floor if they want to advance.
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