MINNESOTA Timberwolves leaned on a fiery start en route to a dominant 143-101 victory over Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of NBA Western Conference Finals on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Anthony Edwards spearheaded the offense with 30 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists, while Julius Randle added 24 markers as the Timberwolves trimmed the series deficit to 1-2.
Terrence Shannon Jr. contributed 15 markers, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Leonard Miller chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid contributed 10 points each for the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves went on a three-point spree in the opening quarter to build a 34-14 lead. They got a huge lift from Shannon in the second frame as the lead grew to 72-41 at the half.
The Thunder managed to trim the deficit to 52-74 early in the third quarter but the Timberwolves relied on inside connections from Randle to widened the advantage further.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell finished with 14 markers apiece, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren had 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Thunder.
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam scored a playoff career-best 39 points as Indiana Pacers scored a 114-109 win over New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
Siakam made 15 of 23 field-goal attempts to set the tone for Indiana, which secured a 2-0 series heading into their home court for Game 3 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines).
Myles Turner had 16 points, with 13 coming in the fourth quarter, Tyrese Haliburton added 14 points, 11 assists, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard tallied 12 apiece, and TJ McConnell connected 10 markers.
Jalen Brunson scored a double-double of 36 points and 11 assists, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each had 20 points and seven rebounds, and OG Anunoby contributed 16 markers./PN
BOX SCORE:
MINNESOTA 143 — Edwards 30, Randle 24, Shannon 15, Alexander-Walker 12, Miller 11, McDaniels 10, Reid 10, Gobert 7, Garza 7, Conley 6, DiVincenzo 6, Clark 4, Dillingham 1, Minott 0.
OKLAHOMA CITY 101 — Gilgeous-Alexander 14, Mitchell 14, Jal. Williams 13, Holmgren 10, Jones 10, K. Williams 8, Hartenstein 6, Dort 6, Dieng 6, Wiggins 5, Caruso 3, Wallace 2, Joe 2, Jay. Williams 2.
Quarterscores: 34-14; 72-41; 107-70; 143-101.
