Anthony Edwards scored 37 points, including a pair of clutch baskets down the stretch, to help the Minnesota Timberwolves earn a 114-109 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers for their fifth consecutive victory.
Minnesota (46-32) avoided a costly stumble against a 76ers side coming into Saturday’s contest on a 10-game skid. The Timberwolves put the game away when Edwards hit a wild 3-point fling with 7.4 seconds remaining and the Timberwolves clinging to a two-point lead.
The triple capped an 18-point fourth quarter for Edwards, who shot 6-of-13 from beyond the arc for the contest.
The 3-pointer also helped Minnesota improve to 3-0 on its five-game road swing and remain in contention for a guaranteed playoff berth in the tight Western Conference race.
The Timberwolves got all they could handle from Philadelphia (23-55).
Quentin Grimes hit three straight 3-pointers over a 1:14 stretch late in the fourth quarter, then a pair of Guerschon Yabusele free throws helped the 76ers whittle a 10-point deficit to one in the final 105 seconds.
Edwards answered to stem the tide. With the shot clock winding down on Minnesota’s ensuing possession, he dribbled from the right wing to the top of the key to create space, then sank a 3-pointer that pushed the Timberwolves lead to four points.
On the following Philly possession, Edwards grabbed a rebound and capitalized on the other end with another basket. His fast five points give Minnesota a 109-103 lead with just under a minute to go.
Grimes delivered another burst of five straight Philadelphia points, putting down a dunk off of an Adem Bona steal then sinking the last of his six 3-pointers on a 6-of-10 night from deep. Grimes finished with 28 points to lead the Sixers.
That sequence pulled Philadelphia to within two, setting up Edwards’ decisive bucket.
Rudy Gobert finished with 23 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks for Minnesota. Julius Randle scored 15 points, and Donte DiVincenzo came off the bench for 13.
Lonnie Walker IV scored 18 points and dished five assists off the bench for the Sixers. Yabusele scored 19 points and swiped three steals, while Jared Butler finished with 16 points and eight assists.
–Field Level Media
