2023-04-24 05:35:10
Led 3-0 by the Nuggets in a series as expected unbalanced, the Wolves did not want to leave the Playoffs on a sweep. Especially not in front of their audience. So Anthony Edwards and his buddies released their best game of the series to snatch the 114-108 win, and thus earn a new ticket to Denver.
Game 4 statistics, it’s here
Ant-Man said it two days ago, “this series is not over”.
If Anthony Edwards is a specialist in big declarations, he could not have been more serious for once, which earned him some teasing but fortunately he is the type to assume on the ground. And tonight, the Wolves All-Star fullback made sure the streak went on. Even if it’s just a little.
Author of 34 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks, Edwards carried Minnesota in the most important game of the season. It was he who boosted his team in the third quarter (won 32-22 by Minny) when Wolves went from -9 to +6 after a very big 25-10 run. But it was above all he who, ten seconds from the end and when the score indicated 109-108 for Wolves, put the lid on by planting a huge 3-pointer on the face of Aaron Gordon.
ANTHONY EDWARDS.
CLUTCH.TIMBERWOLVES LEAD BY 4 ON TNT! pic.twitter.com/4uAadAeD1w
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2023
But if the Wolves managed to snatch the win in overtime, they should never have come this far to claim their first victory in the series. Because when you’re leading by 12 points with less than three minutes remaining in a playoff game, you’re supposed to be able to wrap it up clean. But nothing has been easy in Minnesota this season, and that’s not going to change today.
The Nuggets indeed planted a 12-0 at Wolves to complete the fourth quarter, posing a huge aircon in a Target Center that was already ready to celebrate. As so often this year, Wolves suffered a soft spot at their worst time on offense as Nikola Jokic (43 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists) and Michael Porter Jr. caught fire. Denver could even have pulled off the perfect heist if the Joker hadn’t made a mess on one of his two free throws 12 seconds from the end.
Scenes from Denver’s improbable comeback…
11-0 run.
Nuggets, Timberwolves heading to OT on TNT ???? pic.twitter.com/JFpbm6ob0F
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2023
The Wolves did not go far from a very big choke, but ended up showing the character to overcome this messed up end of the match and force a Game 5 Tuesday in Denver. In addition to Edwards, decisive in money-time, the Wolves were also able to count on… Nickeil Alexander-Walker, author of two consecutive banderillas at 3-pointers to widen the gap 107-102 in favor of Minnesota. Mike Conley finished with 19 points and 8 assists, Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points – 11 rebounds before going out for 6 fouls, while our national Rudy Gobert made his big double-double (14 points, 15 rebounds, 2 against).
“I went to KAT the other night, we had a good chat, I knew he was going to come into this game with energy. He did a good job on Jokic. Nickeil, Mike Conley, they planted big overtime shots, Rudy gave it his all, couldn’t ask for more.”
– Anthony Edwards
Victory Wolves, the Wolves will live a little longer. See you Tuesday for a probable end of series in Denver, unless Ant-Man has a new exploit in him.
Anthony Edwards shines in the @Timberwolves Game 4 win ✨
34 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 3 BLK, 2 STL, 5 3PM
WE/THEN Game 5: Tuesday, 9pm/et, NBA TV pic.twitter.com/meOJfFhgIx
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2023
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#Nuggets #Minnesota #avoids #sweep