Alex Bader
The Minnesota Timberwolves clawed away with the comeback win over the Indiana Pacers tonight, 100-98. The Wolves improved to 11-10 on the season.
After coming off of a thrilling double-overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Wolves had a great chance to get above .500 with a win over the Indiana Pacers - who entered the game on a five-game losing skid.
It wouldn't be as easy as it looked on paper.
The Timberwolves came up clutch in the second half to secure the win after a poor first half showing.
BADER'S TAKE
ANTMAN is the Avenger that the Timberwolves have been waiting for.
While guys like KAT, DLO and Beasley all played well, it was ANT who was the catalyst for the win and was responsible for turning the game around for the Wolves - like so many of their wins so far.
He is the key to Minnesota's success.
Anthony Edwards was all over the place in the second half for the Timberwolves.
He had a steal and then got a dunk. He then got an Ally-oop. He then got a three-pointer to give the Wolves the lead at the end of the third quarter.
He then got a huge dunk early in the fourth.
When he is hot, watch out.
He finished with 21 points, three steals, and nine rebounds.
Karl Anthony Towns had himself another solid game and was a huge reason for why the Wolves were able to come back in the second half.
The Timberwolves have all of the sudden surged back into the conversation of being a playoff contender.
They have had a strong finish to November and if they can continue this play they will be in the playoffs at the end of the year.
That is a big 'if' because this team has shown that they are talented and can beat other talented teams, but they have lacked the consistency thus far.
They barely beat a poor team on a five-game losing streak. They need to be more consistent, but the last few games have been a promising start.
They have a tough game next up at Washington, who have lost just twice on their home court.
Game Recap:
The Wolves started the first quarter poorly. They didn't come to play and their shots weren't falling.
However, they managed to stay close enough to give them hope for the rest of the game.
The Timberwolves went to the second quarter trailing by six, 26-20 Pacers.
The Timberwolves continued to have a sloppy effort. Karl Anthony Towns had to keep the Wolves within striking distance, but they needed the other guys to step up, particularly Edwards.
KAT had 14 points and four rebounds in the first half.
The Pacers went into halftime with the lead, 57-48.
The Wolves needed to shoot better in the second half, they were just 3-19 from the three-pointer in the first half. They also needed to defend better on the glass and with more energy if they wanted to come back.
The Timberwolves got just what they needed; ANT showed up to the game and put on a show, especially late in the third quarter, where he had a slew of buckets and an alley-oop to give the Wolves the lead and the crowd something to cheer about.
Towns continued his hot play and had 30 points and seven rebounds going into the fourth quarter.
The Timberwolves went into the fourth quarter with a two-point lead over the Pacers, 78-76.
They needed to make sure they would finish this game and not let it slip away.
Early in the fourth quarter, Chris Duarte was ejected for arguing with the officials - good news for the Wolves.
Naz Reid went down with 10 minutes to play and immediately limped down the tunnel - bad news for the Wolves. Naz Reid entered the game shortly after getting looked at.
McConnell and Carlisle were given technical fouls that sent the Timberwolves to the foul line.
With just over seven minutes to play, the Wolves had the lead, 88-81.
The Pacers went on a 6-0 scoring run to give the Wolves a scare.
With under two minutes left, the Wolves had a three-point lead, 94-91.
KAT fouled out with 1:34 left to play, Wolves were up by three. He finished with 32 points and eight rebounds.
The Pacers tied the game with 1:14 left to play.
Beasley made a clutch three to give the Wolves the lead with 52.4 seconds left to play, 97-94.
The Wolves scrapped away with the win, 100-98.
Russel finished with 21 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.
What's Next:
Minnesota Timberwolves (11-10) vs. Washington Wizards (13-7)
Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Tip off at 6 p. m. Central time
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I am sorry I missed the game and I am glad the Wolves are back. Fun games to watch as they are usually not runaways and lots of action.