Anthony Edwards outduels Luka, LeBron as Timberwolves earn big 3-1 lead over Lakers

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Anthony Edwards stamps his class as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ alpha wolf with 43 big points in the crucial 3-point win over the favored Los Angeles Lakers for a 3-1 first-round playoffs lead

Anthony Edwards scored 43 points on 12-for-23 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied late for a 116-113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series on Sunday afternoon (Monday, April 28, Manila time) in Minneapolis.

Edwards grabbed nine rebounds and dished six assists for Minnesota, which seized a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Julius Randle scored 25 points, and Jaden McDaniels recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Luka Doncic bounced back from a stomach bug in Game 3 to finish with 38 points on 13-for-28 shooting. LeBron James scored 27 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and had eight assists, and Rui Hachimura finished with 23 points.

The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 32-19 in the fourth quarter.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves had a chance to even the score at the buzzer, but his 3-point attempt from the right corner clanked off the rim.

“I felt like they were gassed going down the stretch,” Edwards said of the Lakers. “Just trying to keep my foot on the pedal and keep going.”

The Lakers led 113-111 after Dorian Finney-Smith knocked down a 3-pointer with 1:29 remaining. That prompted a timeout by Minnesota to regroup.

The Timberwolves pulled ahead 114-113 on a three-point play with 39.5 seconds left. Edwards passed the ball to Naz Reid, who dished a bounce pass to McDaniels for a dunk and a foul against Reaves.

McDaniels stole James’ inbound pass moments later. Edwards drove to the rim and initially was ruled to have lost the ball out of bounds, but Minnesota coach Chris Finch challenged the ruling on the court.

A video review showed that James hit Edwards on the wrist before the ball popped loose. Officials corrected the call and awarded two free throws to Edwards, who made both attempts to give the Timberwolves a 116-113 lead with 10.7 seconds to go.

“That play happens all the time, you know,” James said. “Hand is part of the ball, that’s what they say.

“I felt like a hand was a part of that ball. I was able to get his hand on top of the ball, the ball stripped down, and out on him. Seen that play over and over before, but it is what it is.”

Doncic brought the ball up the court on the final possession and passed it to James, who forwarded a pass to Reaves for a good look at a 3-pointer.

“We haven’t lost nothing yet,” Doncic said. “It’s still the first one to four wins, and we’ve just got to still believe.”

The Lakers opened the second half on a 14-0 run to grab a 72-61 lead. Doncic made a layup to start the run, which ended with four consecutive 3-pointers from Hachimura, Doncic and lastly two in a row from Reaves.

Los Angeles maintained the lead for the rest of the third quarter, which it concluded with a 94-84 advantage.

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was called for a flagrant foul in the final minute of the third quarter. James boxed out Gobert on a free-throw attempt, and Gobert responded by shoving his forearm into the back of James’ neck.

Minnesota led 61-58 at the half. – Rappler.com