Wolves Bench Dominates, Suns Falter
Resembling the scene of their collapse in the second game’s second half, the Suns couldn’t contain the relentless assault of the Timberwolves in the third game, even on their home court. The Suns found themselves out of control both offensively and defensively.
Wolves Extend Lead with Third Quarter Surge
Maintaining a steady lead in the first half, the Timberwolves, powered by bench contributors like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the sixth man Naz Reid, stormed ahead with a 19-point surge in the third quarter, overwhelming the Suns to a lead of up to 22 points. Despite the Suns’ efforts to narrow the gap through individual plays, they lacked collective strength, ultimately succumbing to a 126-109 defeat at the hands of the Timberwolves, who, like the Nuggets, now lead the series with three consecutive wins.
Wolves’ Balanced Attack
The Timberwolves’ starters and bench players alike contributed significantly, with six players scoring in double digits. Anthony Edwards led the charge with an impressive 36 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, including 18 points in the fourth quarter alone. Karl-Anthony Towns posted 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Rudy Gobert contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds. Mike Conley added 15 points and 7 assists, while Alexander-Walker and Reid scored 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Suns Struggle Against Defensive Pressure
Facing intense defensive pressure from the Timberwolves, the Suns’ offense relied heavily on sporadic individual plays, unable to form cohesive strategies. With sharpshooter Grayson Allen sidelined due to injury, the Suns struggled to pose a significant threat to the Timberwolves. Despite attempting to stage a comeback in the fourth quarter, the Suns’ efforts fell short.
Suns’ Offense Disjointed
The Suns’ offense, resembling a disjointed puzzle since the beginning of the series, found itself dismantled step by step against the formidable defense of the Timberwolves. With a cumulative deficit of 54 points over three games, the Suns’ undefeated regular season record now seems like a distant memory.
Stars’ Efforts Not Enough for Suns
Despite the Suns’ big three playing over 40 minutes each, Bradley Beal regained his shooting touch with 6 three-pointers, tallying 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Kevin Durant contributed 25 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Devin Booker added 23 points and 8 assists. (Superace88)