SAN FRANCISCO — The Timberwolves are one victory away from their second straight trip to the Western Conference finals, something the team has never done in more than 35 years in the NBA.
The Wolves came to the Bay Area determined to take both games in an effort to get this series over as soon as possible. They also wanted to make it as difficult as possible for Warriors star Steph Curry to return from a hamstring injury. Like most of the games in this series, it didn’t look good early or late, but the Wolves found enough in the second half to pull away from a short-handed team.
Minnesota trailed at halftime thanks to a 25-15 advantage for the Warriors on the glass and a 17-8 lead in free throws made. The Warriors were working harder and playing smarter than the Wolves.
But Anthony Edwards found his lane in the second half, erupting for 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter to wrestle control of the game, and the series, back. Minnesota outscored Golden State 39-17 in the third, finally figuring out a Warriors defense that had flummoxed it for much of the series.
They will come home for a chance to close out the series in Game 5 on Wednesday.
