How the Timberwolves dug deep to take a 2-1 collection lead over the Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO — The Timberwolves claimed a scrappy 102-97 win over the Warriors in Recreation 3 at Chase Middle on Saturday, seizing a 2-1 benefit within the Western Convention semifinals. With Recreation 4 looming Monday in San Francisco, and Stephen Curry reportedly unavailable till not less than Recreation 6, the Warriors now discover themselves in a must-win state of affairs.

Listed here are the largest takeaways from Saturday night time’s conflict:

Level Julius takes over with a triple-double

Julius Randle is locked in all sides of the sport proper now as he continues dispelling the narrative of him being unreliable within the playoffs. Randle paced the Wolves with 13 factors within the first half, however he was the catalyst of a second-half surge that helped unlock the offense and, extra importantly, Anthony Edwards.

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Randle was masterful, posting his first profession postseason triple-double, ending with 24 factors, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. He is the primary Timberwolves participant since Kevin Garnett to notch a triple-double within the playoffs, and it could not have come at a greater time.

“I really feel like I simply obtained a variety of totally different instruments, what I imply?” Randle mentioned. “It is actually about utilizing my thoughts and taking what the protection offers me.”

His capacity to bully down low and discover Minnesota’s shooters proved very important, as Randle repeatedly pressured Golden State into rotations that led to open appears to be like. His playmaking was essential for the Wolves within the second half, as he generated 9 of his 12 assists throughout the ultimate two frames. Six of these second-half assists went to Edwards.

“He was unbelievable, man,” Edwards mentioned. “Discovering everyone on cuts. Discovering the open man, time after time. Simply pushing the tempo. That is what we requested of him, and he is been doing that at a excessive stage.”

Edwards owns the second half, caught a physique

Whereas Randle’s triple-double underpinned Minnesota’s turnaround, Edwards stole the present. After scoring a modest eight factors within the first half on 3-of-12 taking pictures, Edwards cranked his sport into hyperdrive, ending with 36 factors (13 of 28 FG, 5 of 14 3PT, 5 of 8 FT) with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block in 44 minutes.

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When Draymond Inexperienced picked up his fourth foul within the third quarter, Edwards capitalized, making a concerted effort to get downhill. He scored 15 factors within the third, with 5 of his six FGs coming within the paint, together with this banger over Kevon Looney.

When requested about what obtained him fired up, Edwards mentioned, “I felt like when Jonathan Kuminga dunked on me, it obtained me going extra so, if something.”

The Warriors did an excellent job getting Edwards out of rhythm within the first half, however it all got here collectively as soon as he centered on higher-percentage appears to be like, dropping 28 within the second half with 13 within the fourth quarter. On an evening when the Wolves’ bench added a mere 11 factors, Edwards and Randle put the staff on their backs.

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Mike Conley joined Randle and Edwards on the post-game information convention, and although his numbers do not bounce off the web page, his late-game protection and poise within the fourth was the veteran management the Wolves wanted on this rock combat.

Warriors’ offense falters within the fourth quarter

Golden State did not go down with out a combat, main by 4 heading into the ultimate interval. However then, the wheels got here off. The Warriors struggled to generate offense late, scoring simply 24 factors within the fourth with extra turnovers (4) than assists (5). That is when not having Curry is fairly evident.

A number of components have been at play within the fourth:

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• Jimmy Butler, a canine all night time, went ice chilly, taking pictures 1 of seven from the sphere.

• Draymond Inexperienced fouled out on the 4:38 mark. The Warriors managed to win the third quarter by two factors with out the foul-addled Inexperienced; they did not have the identical destiny within the fourth. Offensively, with out Inexperienced’s screens and decision-making within the half-court, the Warriors struggled to create high quality appears to be like in opposition to Minnesota’s compact protection.

• Nobody confirmed up apart from Kuminga.

Kuminga was terrific off the bench, scoring 30 factors (11 of 18 FG, 3 of 4 3PT, 5 of 6 FT) with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a pair of blocks. He regarded like a man who desires a fats contract within the offseason and performed his method again into relevancy Saturday night time. Kerr has to stay with JK, which is fairly attention-grabbing contemplating he is been in Kerr’s doghouse all yr. Kuminga and Butler accounted for 65% of the Warriors’ factors and 54% of their shot makes an attempt. Appears like a recipe for fulfillment should you’re the Timberwolves.

What’s subsequent?

For Golden State, the sense of urgency is now plain. Down 2-1 within the collection and with Curry unavailable, the strain is on the Warriors to reclaim momentum Monday night time in Recreation 4. Inexperienced has to remain out of foul bother. Brandin Podziemski has to get up after taking pictures 6 of 26 by three video games. The Warriors must restrict turnovers, maintain the ball shifting and proceed placing strain on Minnesota’s frontcourt. The Warriors’ give attention to getting Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid into foul bother whereas punishing the put up labored by three quarters. That sort of physicality and intent is vital, particularly when the Wolves are taking away their capacity to shoot 3s; the Warriors tried simply 5 within the first half.

For Minnesota, this win was an announcement. The Wolves lower off the water for everybody however Butler and Kuminga and compelled the Warriors to play with out their defensive anchor in probably the most pressurized moments. The Wolves want extra offense from their bench, however involving Jaden McDaniels extra (4 of seven from the ground) could be of their finest curiosity. His seven shot makes an attempt have been his second fewest of the postseason, and his development continues to be considered one of their greatest X-factors of the postseason. Lastly, if Edwards can cease settling for 3s and begin attacking like he did within the second half, the Warriors will likely be on the ropes.

Recreation 4 awaits. The Wolves scent blood. Golden State wants a response. Buckle up.