Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX (AP) — Anthony Edwards hit a jumper late in the fourth quarter and snarled as he ran down the court, pounding his chest with his fist for emphasis as Minnesota pulled away for another dominant playoff win.
The Timberwolves are the undeniable alpha dogs through three games of this increasingly lopsided series.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker watches during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) looks away, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Edwards scored 36 points, Rudy Gobert added 19 points and 14 rebounds and the Timberwolves used a hot-shooting third quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 126-109 on Friday night and take a 3-0 lead in the first-round matchup.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant looks at the scoreboard during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
“We’re just embracing the moment,” Gobert said. “We have only one goal in mind and we’re trying to make sure we don’t get distracted by the success or the ups and downs. We’re just locked in.”
Minnesota goes for the sweep in Game 4 on Sunday in Phoenix.
The Wolves never trailed on Friday.
“This is a team you need to dictate terms with,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said. “You don’t want to get behind big on them because of the way they can shoot the ball. That’s been part of our messaging, part of our emphasis, we have to get off to good starts.”
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson, left, and forward Jaden McDaniels, center, pressure Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
It was the third straight game the Wolves used a big third to turn a tight game into a comfortable victory. Minnesota hit 7 of 11 3-pointers during the surge, including four from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, to take a 22-point lead into the fourth.
Bradley Beal led the Suns with 28 points while Kevin Durant had 25 and Devin Booker 23. The rest of the team scored just 33 points.
The 7-foot-1 Gobert said he’s noticed the Suns being hesitant to drive in the lane when he’s there.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) drives as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
“That’s what I do best,” Gobert said. “I try to be a presence, give confidence to my teammates, making sure I’m there for them. I’m trying to get some blocks, but they don’t really try me. So at the end of the day, that’s better than any block.”
Minnesota had a six-point halftime lead and stretched its advantage to 69-58 early in the third after back-to-back 3-pointers from Mike Conley and Karl-Anthony Towns. Late in the third, Alexander-Walker hit his fourth 3-pointer of the quarter for a 95-73 lead.
The Wolves were also dominant on the glass, finishing with a 50-28 rebounding advantage. Edwards shot 12 of 23 from the field and hit all 11 of his free throws while adding nine rebounds and five assists.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) rubs his forehead after a three pointer by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, right, during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
“We got killed on the boards. This is a bigger, stronger team,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. “We’ve got to compete and win the 50-50 balls. I thought our guys gave the effort, but it wasn’t enough.”
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker looks to pass as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Six Minnesota players scored in double figures. Towns finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds while Alexander-Walker scored 16.
The listless Suns could never cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth. Now they’re one loss away from what would be a bitterly disappointing season after entering the year with championship aspirations. By the end of the third quarter, there were scattered boos coming from the home crowd.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal passes around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, right, during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Booker said he couldn’t blame them.
“We put ourselves in a hole and we’ve got to dig ourselves out of it,” Booker said. “So that’s that.”
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Drew Eubanks, left, during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Phoenix’s Josh Okogie, who had eight points, was ejected late in the fourth after a hard foul on Gobert.
The Timberwolves led 59-53 at the halftime break following a competitive first half. Edwards led the Wolves with 16 points while Durant had 14 for the Suns. Eric Gordon gave Phoenix a spark with 10 points in the first quarter, but it was short lived.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and forward Kevin Durant watch a free throw during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
The Suns played without starting guard Grayson Allen, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage this season. Allen’s dealing with a sprained ankle from Game 1 that he aggravated in Game 2.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
News Related-
High court unanimously ruled indefinite detention was unlawful while backing preventive regime
-
Cheika set for contract extension as another Wallabies head coaching candidate slips by
-
Analysis-West's de-risking starts to bite China's prospects
-
'Beyond a joke' Labor won't ensure PTSD protections: MP
-
Formula One season driver ratings: Lando Norris shines as Max Verstappen nears perfection
-
Catalina golfer Tony Riches scores Guinness World Record four holes in one on same hole
-
Florida coach Billy Napier fires assistants Sean Spencer, Corey Raymond with expected staff shakeup ahead
-
Rohingyan refugee NZYQ accidentally named in documents published by high court
-
Colorado loses commitments of 2 more high school recruits
-
Queensland Health issues urgent patient safety alert over national bacteria outbreak
-
Townsville Community Pantry 'distressed' by fruit, vegetable waste at Aldi supermarket
-
What Is The Beaver Moon And What Does It Mean For You?
-
Labor senator Pat Dodson to resign from politics due to health issues
-
Hamas releases 11 more hostages, as Israel agrees to extend ceasefire