Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) celebrates with guard Anthony Edwards (5) towards the Phoenix Suns throughout the second half of Sport 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff sequence, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Picture/Matt York)
PHOENIX — Anthony Edwards hit a jumper late within the fourth quarter and snarled as he ran down the courtroom, pounding his chest together with his fist for emphasis as Minnesota pulled away for one more dominant playoff win.
The Timberwolves are the simple alpha canines by means of three video games of this more and more lopsided sequence.
Edwards scored 36 factors, Rudy Gobert added 19 factors and 14 rebounds and the Timberwolves used a hot-shooting third quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 126-109 on Friday evening and take a 3-0 lead within the first-round matchup.
READ: NBA: Timberwolves teaching employees is a real asset this playoffs
“We’re simply embracing the second,” Gobert stated. “We’ve got just one purpose in thoughts and we’re attempting to ensure we don’t get distracted by the success or the ups and downs. We’re simply locked in.”
Minnesota goes for the sweep in Sport 4 on Sunday in Phoenix.
The Wolves by no means trailed on Friday.
Anthony Edwards delivers because the @Timberwolves choose up the highway win and take a 3-0 sequence lead!
🐜 36 PTS
🐜 9 REB
🐜 5 ASTThat is Ant’s seventh profession 30-point sport within the postseason, tying Kevin Garnett for should such video games in franchise historical past. pic.twitter.com/zo5xszFHFg
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2024
“It is a workforce you must dictate phrases with,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch stated. “You don’t wish to get behind large on them due to the best way they will shoot the ball. That’s been a part of our messaging, a part of our emphasis, we’ve to get off to good begins.”
It was the third straight sport the Wolves used an enormous third to show a good sport into a snug victory. Minnesota hit 7 of 11 3-pointers throughout the surge, together with 4 from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, to take a 22-point lead into the fourth.
Bradley Beal led the Suns with 28 factors whereas Kevin Durant had 25 and Devin Booker 23. The remainder of the workforce scored simply 33 factors.
The 7-foot-1 Gobert stated he’s seen the Suns being hesitant to drive within the lane when he’s there.
READ: NBA playoffs: Timberwolves take 2-0 lead on Suns
“That’s what I do greatest,” Gobert stated. “I attempt to be a presence, give confidence to my teammates, ensuring I’m there for them. I’m attempting to get some blocks, however they don’t actually attempt me. So on the finish of the day, that’s higher than any block.”
Minnesota had a six-point halftime lead and stretched its benefit to 69-58 early within the third after back-to-back 3-pointers from Mike Conley and Karl-Anthony Cities. Late within the third, Alexander-Walker hit his fourth 3-pointer of the quarter for a 95-73 lead.
The Wolves have been additionally dominant on the glass, ending with a 50-28 rebounding benefit. Edwards shot 12 of 23 from the sector and hit all 11 of his free throws whereas including 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
“We bought killed on the boards. It is a larger, stronger workforce,” Suns coach Frank Vogel stated. “We’ve bought to compete and win the 50-50 balls. I believed our guys gave the hassle, however it wasn’t sufficient.”
Six Minnesota gamers scored in double figures. Cities completed with 18 factors and 13 rebounds whereas Alexander-Walker scored 16.
The listless Suns may by no means reduce the deficit to single digits within the fourth. Now they’re one loss away from what could be a bitterly disappointing season after coming into the yr with championship aspirations. By the tip of the third quarter, there have been scattered boos coming from the house crowd.
Booker stated he couldn’t blame them.
“We put ourselves in a gap and we’ve bought to dig ourselves out of it,” Booker stated. “In order that’s that.”
Phoenix’s Josh Okogie, who had eight factors, was ejected late within the fourth after a tough foul on Gobert.
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The Timberwolves led 59-53 on the halftime break following a aggressive first half. Edwards led the Wolves with 16 factors whereas Durant had 14 for the Suns. Eric Gordon gave Phoenix a spark with 10 factors within the first quarter, however it was quick lived.
The Suns performed with out beginning guard Grayson Allen, who led the NBA in 3-point capturing share this season. Allen’s coping with a sprained ankle from Sport 1 that he aggravated in Sport 2.
