Timberwolves-Mavericks: 5 takeaways from Minnesota's sturdy end to Recreation 4 – NBA.com

Karl-Anthony Cities and Anthony Edwards step up in Recreation 4, the Mavs' star duo cools off a bit and, now, a Recreation 5 looms.
Michael C. Wright
Anthony Edwards fills the field rating and Karl-Anthony Cities scores 20 within the 2nd half to power the sequence again to Minnesota.
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• Recreation element: MIN 105, DAL 100
DALLAS — Headed to a postgame interview room, Anthony Edwards observed Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons standing within the corridor rocking a pair of Edwards’ AE1 signature Adidas sneakers.
Because the door closed behind him, Edwards promised to return quickly.
“I informed him I’ll convey him again some good footwear for Recreation 6,” he mentioned.
We’ll see.
Edwards figures he’ll be hand-delivering kicks in Dallas this weekend after main Minnesota to a 105-100 win Tuesday over the Mavericks in Recreation 4 of the Western Conference Finals. To make sure a return journey to the Lone Star State, the Timberwolves want a Recreation 5 victory Thursday at Goal Middle.
Minnesota trails 3-1 within the sequence.
“What am I alleged to say?” he requested. “[Am] I alleged to say we’re gonna lose Recreation 5? No, I’m not gonna ever say that.”
Listed here are 5 takeaways from Recreation 4:
1. Edwards, Cities carry out like stars
We’ve waited for a efficiency like this for the reason that starting of the sequence. Edwards scored a game-high 29 points with 10 rebounds, falling just one help shy of his first profession triple-double. Regardless of capturing 28% from the sphere within the first three video games of the sequence, Cities hit a blistering 9-for-13 for 25 points.
Minnesota is 7-1 within the playoffs when Cities scores 18 factors or extra and is 2-5 when he scores fewer than 18.
“We chatted yesterday,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch mentioned. “I simply informed him the previous is unrelated to the longer term. Belief your expertise. Keep assured. Pictures will fall. That’s how capturing is. We’ve simply acquired to attend till the playing cards flip in your favor.”
They definitely flipped in a significant means.
Feasting on a extra smart shot weight loss program that included extra makes an attempt on the rim, Cities hit 2-for-3 within the first half earlier than sinking 7-of-10 over the third and fourth quarters. Cities’ diversified assault helped him nail a couple of big 3s late.
Finch utilized a soccer analogy when chatting with Edwards about his duties for Recreation 4. He in contrast Edwards to a tailback that wanted to blow up shortly by holes to achieve the second stage of Dallas’ protection.
“When you get to the second line of the protection, then they’re at your disposal,” Finch informed Edwards.
The 22-year-old attacked the paint with the ferocity of former Minnesota Vikings working again Adrian Peterson, and the Timberwolves benefitted.
2. Timberwolves cool off Doncic, Irving
Credit score Minnesota for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s struggles.
The Timberwolves assigned Edwards to protect Doncic, whereas placing defensive stalwart Jaden McDaniels on Irving.
The Mavericks celebrity duo mixed to attain 44 factors on 13-for-39 from the sphere. The Slovenian notched his ninth postseason triple-double (28 factors, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) to tie Wilt Chamberlain for ninth all-time. Irving completed with 16 factors on 6-for-18 shooting.
“We’re within the NBA, man,” Irving mentioned. “No crew goes to put down and provides me and Luka open photographs. Once I take a look at simply the standard of our photographs, just a few of them might be higher. A couple of of them have been rushed. A couple of of them have been out and in.”
Edwards and Cities outscored Doncic and Irving 54-44. Over the primary three video games of the sequence, the Dallas duo averaged 60.3 factors in comparison with 37 for Edwards and Cities.
“[Edwards and McDaniels] did a very good job of simply being bodily, understanding tendencies and never getting them on the free throw line,” Minnesota level guard Mike Conley mentioned. “These two guys have been huge for us in that matchup swap.”
3. Minnesota lastly finishes
The Timberwolves entered the fourth quarter of each recreation this sequence both tied or main by 5 factors. They led 78-73 entering the fourth quarter of Recreation 4 and at last discovered a technique to end.
Over the primary three video games of this sequence, Minnesota generated an offensive ranking of 114.3. However, within the fourth quarter of these video games, the Wolves’ offensive ranking tumbled off a cliff to 95.5.
The guests scored 22, 22 and 20 factors within the fourth quarters of these video games. In Recreation 4, Minnesota put up 27 factors, led by Cities, who scored 10 factors and hit 3 of 4 from deep within the remaining quarter.
“It got here collectively for him,” Edwards mentioned. “He was tremendous assured. He wasn’t frightened about any photographs earlier to the photographs he hit tonight. He performed exceptionally nicely and got here by huge time. He was the rationale we gained.”
Edwards joked that he deliberate to “beat him up on the bus” for fouling out with 1:38 remaining. However Cities scored 20 of his 25 factors within the second half. Earlier than Recreation 4, Cities hadn’t produced 10 factors in any half this sequence.
4. Kleber returns; Vigorous II sits out
The Mavericks ruled out Dereck Lively II for Recreation 4 as a consequence of a neck pressure sustained in Recreation 3. The rookie may barely flip his head when strolling into American Airways Middle forward of pre-game.
Vigorous’s absence opened extra minutes for Dwight Powell, to not point out Maxi Kleber, who returned Tuesday for the primary time since separating his proper shoulder within the first half of Dallas’ Recreation 6 win within the first spherical vs. the LA Clippers.
Finch anticipated Kleber’s return would supply an unfamiliar search for Dallas.
“That provides them a stretch lineup we haven’t seen all sequence,” he mentioned.
Kleber performed 13 minutes and scored two factors as Dallas ran completely different actions that offered open photographs for Kleber. However, it was clear he wasn’t absolutely snug taking them.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd thought KIeber “did nice” in restricted motion.
Vigorous’s potential return stays unsure. The best way the rookie appeared strolling into the sector Tuesday didn’t encourage a lot optimism for a return in Recreation 5.
“He’s a giant piece to our protection and our offense,” Doncic mentioned.
Minnesota knew that and attacked accordingly, in keeping with Conley.
5. Kidd compares previous to current

Kidd performed on the final Dallas crew to win a championship. So, naturally, he’s biased when evaluating that 2011 squad to the present crew.
“I’m gonna say the ’11 crew was higher for certain as a result of I used to be on it,” he mentioned. “Dirk [Nowitzki is] my neighbor. I don’t wish to [tick] him off.”
Truthful sufficient.
With the Corridor of Fame level guard on the controls in 2011, Dallas defeated the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 4-1 within the Western Convention Finals, earlier than upsetting the Miami Warmth, 4-2, within the Finals to seize the group’s solely title.
Kidd sees similarities between that crew and this present group, which has an opportunity to finish this convention finals sequence 4-1 like his squad did.
“This crew most likely has just a little extra expertise, youth,” Kidd mentioned. “The previous guys on that ’11 crew, they knew what they needed to do. They each mirror the phrase[s] crew and sacrifice. That crew in ’11 sacrificed. You had plenty of guys that perhaps felt their position might be completely different however loved their position.”
Kidd hung out at Nowitzki’s home on Monday, and he’s saved involved this week with former teammates Jason Terry and Shawn Marion.
“They just like the crew, like what’s taking place,” he mentioned.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior author for NBA.com. You possibly can e-mail him here, discover his archive here and observe him on X.
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The 20-year-old heart was out after a neck damage in Recreation 3, whereas Kleber returned from a separated proper shoulder damage.
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