BY: ROBERT ANTHONY MORALES – SPORTS ON AIR USA CORRESPONDENT
LOS ANGELES — — The Minnesota Timberwolves came back from the depths of a 22-point deficit to upset the Los Angeles Clippers, 118-108 at the Crypto.com Arena.
Anthony Edwards ignited the huge come-from-behind victory with 37 points on 15-of-29 shooting while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added a season-high 28 on Tuesday night.
The Wolves fell behind 57-35 at the 5:13 mark of the second quarter following a James Harden lay-up. The Wolves responded with a 29-15 third quarter to pull even at 84-84 entering the fourth quarter.
Paul George led Los Angeles with 22 points but Kawhi Leonard played for only12 minutes before leaving the arena with back spasms. Harden and Ivica Zubac combined for 22.
After taking command early with a 34-point first quarter barrage, the Clips cooled off and settled with 34-of-72 shooting from the field and just 11-of-30 from 3. (38.7 percent).
Mike Conley swished five 3s for 23 points to lead Minnesota, which entered last night’s contest on a two-game losing streak.
“Having lost a couple in a row in the way that we lost them, and who we’re playing, the Clippers. They’re right with us in seeding, and so it meant a lot, and for us to steal this one today … hopefully sets us up for bigger and better things,” Conley said.
Rudy Gobert hurt his rib and joined Leonard on the injured list. He finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.
“This team believes in itself. When you play defense the way we’re able to play defense. The ball was really moving at times, too. Got out in transition. We really haven’t really seen us in transition like that,” Wolves coach Chris Finsch said.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, on the other hand tipped his hat to Minnesota.
“They played tougher than we did, for sure, no doubt. We can talk about schemes and things, but when things don’t go right, we’ve got to get tougher.”
Minnesota played without All-Star center Karl Anthony-Towns who underwent surgery for a torn meniscus. His will be evaluated in four weeks.
“Everybody goes through a tough stretch (injuries) at some point. We’re getting it now,” Finch added.
