By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Minnesota Timberwolves clinched a much-needed momentum heading into the post All-Star break after dumping the Portland Trailblazers by 37 points, 128-91, in the ongoing NBA regular season last February 16, 2024.
With the victory, the Timberwolves just extended its winning streak to three straight games while remaining as the no.1 team in the Western Conference with a 38-16 win-loss record.
From the get-go, Minnesota quickly imposed its will on the Trailblazers after wrapping up the first 12 minutes with a 44-14 advantage.
In the second quarter, Portland snatched away the momentum and capitalized when the Timberwolves relaxed and let their lead slip away.
The Trailblazers dominated the second frame and outscored Minnesota 37-22, and headed to the second half with a positive mindset.
Just when Portland thought they could execute their run-and-gun offense led by Anfernee Simons, the Timberwolves had a sense of urgency and replicated its first-quarter madness.
Minnesota hosted another massive scoring avalanche in the third, 33-25, and pumped its cushion back to 23 points.
It was then all Minnesota in the final frame as their lethal pick-and-roll offense dissected Portland’s perimeter defense for 12-straight minutes.
Anthony Edwards top-scored for Minnesota for the second consecutive night and dropped 34 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 23 points and eight boards while Rudy Gobert had another double-double performance of 11 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks.
