The Wolves dominated most of the game. Josh Okogie scored a big three-point bucket, assisted by Bates-Diop, cutting the T-wolves deficit to only 1 point, a big play with 3:38 left in the 1st quarter.
Damian Lillard made a three-pointer from a Mario Hezonja assist extending the Portland Trail-Blazers 5 point lead, a big play with 3:01 left in the 1st quarter. The Blazers went on their first run of the game, a 7-0 push with 3:22 left in the 1st quarter, in a 2-minute span setting the score at 21-29.
Josh Okogie scored a big three-point bucket, assisted by Jeff Teague, cutting the T-wolves deficit to only 5 points, a key play with 37 seconds left in the 1st quarter. The score was 28-34 after CJ McCollum missed a jump shot to finish out the 1st quarter.
Great play at the 11:49 mark in the 2nd quarter as The Timberwolves were hoping to come back as Bates-Diop made a shot, cutting the Timberwolves deficit to 4. At the 7:08 mark in the 2nd quarter, Wiggins made a three-pointer from a Naz Reid assist extending the Wolves 6 point lead.
At the 12:00 mark in the 2nd quarter, the Wolves went on a 16-2 run setting the score at 44-36. With 3:43 left in the 2nd quarter, the T-wolves went on a 6-0 run fueled by 4 points by Robert Covington to set the score at 54-42.
To finish out the 2nd quarter Robert Covington made a jump shot, assisted by Andrew Wiggins, extending the Minnesota Timberwolves 12 point lead as the score was 59-47. Dieng made a three-pointer from a Wiggins assist extending the Wolves 15 point lead, a key play at the 11:41 mark in the 3rd quarter. At the 6:28 mark in the 3rd quarte.
Wolves went on a 10-0 run setting the score at 88-61. The score was 100-74 after Simons was blocked attempting a layup to close the 3rd quarter. The T-wolves took their foot off the pedal in the 4th quarter. With 4:02 left in the 4th quarter.
Blazers went on a 10-3 run fueled by 5 points by Gary Trent Jr. to set the score at 114-101. To finish out the game Bazemore Jr. missed his second free throw as the closing score was 116-102.
Notable players for the Blazers: Jaylen Hoard had a good performance with 8 points (3-of-7 FG), but he has been struggling this season averaging no points. Anthony Tolliver had an underwhelming performance with 1 point (0-of-5 shooting) and 4 rebounds. Gary Trent Jr. contributed 13 points (4-of-9 FG). Damian Lillard contributed 20 points (6-of-17 shooting) and 8 assists. Hassan Whiteside contributed 15 points (6-of-12 shooting), 5 offensive rebounds and 14 rebounds. CJ McCollum had 15 points (6-of-12 shooting).
Top performers for the T-wolves: Naz Reid broke his cold shooting slump with 6 rebounds. He has been underwhelming this season averaging only no rebounds. Andrew Wiggins contributed 23 points (9-of-15 FG) and 8 assists. Robert Covington had 15 points (6-of-12 from the field). Gorgui Dieng contributed 12 points (5-of-10 from the field), 5 offensive rebounds and 10 rebounds. Both teams were mostly healthy.
In the last head-to-head matchup between the teams, the Timberwolves lost on the road. The T-wolves will be playing at away vs HOU, home vs OKC, home vs IND.
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