The Minnesota Timberwolves knocked down a season-high 24 3-pointers and set a franchise record for points scored in a 151-131 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday afternoon but will have the chance to improve their positioning in the play-in tournament when they battle the New Orleans Pelicans at Target Center on Sunday.
Saturday’s win was fueled from beyond the arc as the Wolves shot STAT percent on 3-point attempts. Anthony Edwards led the charge making four 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 33 points and the Timberwolves took an 80-68 lead into halftime.
That advantage grew in the second half as the Timberwolves shot 10-for-12 on 3-pointers in the third quarter to effectively put the game on ice.
Mike Conley had 20 points and 5 3-pointers in the win while Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and eight rebounds, Jaden McDaniels had 16 points and Rudy Gobert had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Saturday’s win improved the Timberwolves’ record to 41-40 on the season and moved them within a game of the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans for the seventh and eighth spot in the play-in tournament. If the Wolves beat the Pelicans on Sunday, they will move into the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup with a spot in the playoffs on the line and could host that game if the Lakers lose to the Utah Jazz.
If they lose, the Timberwolves would lock themselves into the No. 9 seed which not only means a date with the 10th-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder but means they would have to win two games to make the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Clippers clinched a top-six seed and an automatic playoff berth with their win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday afternoon, leaving the Timberwolves to battle for their spot in the play-in tournament.
Sunday’s game with the Pelicans is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. tip-off at Target Center.
