The Minnesota Timberwolves extended their series against the Dallas Mavericks with a thrilling 105-100 victory in Game 4. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards stepped up significantly, forcing the series back to Minnesota for a crucial Game 5. Here are the five major takeaways from this pivotal game.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Edwards and Towns Shine Like Stars
Anthony Edwards delivered a game-high 29 points, coupled with 10 rebounds, nearly securing his first career triple-double. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns, after struggling in the initial games, scored a remarkable 25 points, hitting 9-for-13 from the field.
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch had a heart-to-heart with Towns, emphasizing that past performances don’t determine future outcomes. “Trust your talent. Stay confident. Shots will fall,” Finch advised. This advice seemed to resonate as Towns diversified his shot selection, hitting critical three-pointers late in the game.
Defensive Strategy Halts Doncic and Irving
Minnesota’s defensive assignments proved effective in containing Dallas’ star duo. Anthony Edwards was tasked with guarding Luka Doncic, while Jaden McDaniels took on Kyrie Irving. The duo combined for a modest 44 points on 13-for-39 shooting.
Irving acknowledged the defensive pressure, stating, “No team is going to lay down and give me and Luka open shots. When I look at just the quality of our shots, a few of them could be better. A few of them were rushed. A few of them were in and out.”
Edwards and Towns outscored Doncic and Irving 54-44, marking a significant shift from the previous games where the Dallas duo averaged 60.3 points.
Minnesota Masters the Fourth Quarter
In the first three games, the Minnesota Timberwolves struggled to maintain their lead in the final quarter. However, in Game 4, they scored 27 points in the fourth quarter, with Towns contributing 10 points and hitting 3 of 4 from deep.
“He was super confident. He wasn’t worried about any shots previous to the shots he hit tonight. He played exceptionally well and came through big time. He was the reason we won,” Edwards praised Towns.
Despite fouling out with 1:38 remaining, Towns’ performance in the second half, scoring 20 of his 25 points, was instrumental.
Kleber’s Return, Lively II Sidelined
The Dallas Mavericks missed rookie Dereck Lively II due to a neck strain, while Maxi Kleber returned for the first time since a shoulder injury. Kleber’s presence offered Dallas a new dynamic, though he played limited minutes and scored only two points.
Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd praised Kleber’s effort, “He did great in limited action.” However, Lively’s potential return remains uncertain, adding another layer of challenge for Dallas.
Kidd Reflects on Championship Roots
Jason Kidd, a key player in Dallas’ 2011 championship team, drew comparisons between that squad and the current Dallas Mavericks. “This team probably has a little more talent, youth. The old guys on that ’11 team, they knew what they had to do,” Kidd remarked.
Kidd remains in close contact with former teammates and acknowledges their support for the current team’s efforts.
