Minneapolis, MN – Jerami Grant delivered a clutch performance, hitting a late three-pointer to propel the Portland Trail Blazers to a 108-104 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. The win, secured despite a strong showing from Rudy Gobert, moves Portland back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
The Blazers, fresh off wins against the Nets and Pacers, faced a Minnesota squad still adjusting to life without Anthony Edwards, who remains sidelined with an injury. The game began with a physical tone, highlighted by a powerful dunk from Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert over Portland’s Donovan Clingan. However, Portland quickly responded, establishing a seven-point lead early in the first quarter. Minnesota answered with a 7-0 run fueled by Bones Hyland and Julius Randle, tying the score at 24-24. Portland managed to regain the lead, finishing the first twelve minutes up 33-28.
Portland extended their advantage in the second period, building a ten-point lead at 44-34. Minnesota continued to feed Gobert, receiving an alley-oop pass from Terrence Shannon Jr. And a lob from Jrue Holiday to Clingan, who finished with a dunk to bring the score to 50-40. However, the Blazers’ offensive attack, led by Deni Avdija (25 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) and Clingan (21 points, 12 rebounds), proved difficult for the Timberwolves to contain. The duo combined for 33 points in the first half. Minnesota closed the gap before halftime with an 8-0 run initiated by Hyland, leaving the score at 68-59.
Blazers Secure a Hard-Fought Finish
The third quarter saw Minnesota mount a comeback. Donte DiVincenzo connected from beyond the arc and followed with a layup to tie the game at 79-79. Bones Hyland then gave the Timberwolves the lead at 83-81. The two teams traded baskets, with Ayo Dosunmu recording his first double-double of the season with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Portland entered the fourth quarter with a narrow one-point lead, 87-86.
The final quarter was a back-and-forth affair. With three minutes remaining, Portland led by three, but Julius Randle answered with a three-point play to tie the score. Both teams struggled to capitalize on possessions before Jerami Grant rose up and hit a crucial three-pointer over Jaden McDaniels. Randle responded with two free throws and a mid-range jumper, giving Minnesota a one-point lead with under a minute to play (104-103). Grant then delivered the decisive blow, sinking another three-pointer with less than 20 seconds on the clock.
On Minnesota’s final possession, DiVincenzo’s shot fell short, and Gobert was unable to secure the offensive rebound, sealing the 108-104 victory for Portland.
Key Takeaways
- Jerami Grant’s Clutch Performance: Grant proved to be the difference-maker down the stretch, hitting two critical three-pointers in the final minutes to secure the win for Portland. He finished the game with 26 points, shooting 10-of-16 from the field.
- The Battle of the Bigs: The matchup between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Clingan was a focal point of the game. Gobert made his presence felt early with a powerful dunk, but Clingan responded with a strong performance, contributing significantly to Portland’s offensive attack.
- Blazers Back in the Playoff Mix: This victory marks Portland’s third consecutive win and propels them back into the eighth seed in the Western Conference, surpassing the Los Angeles Clippers who will face the Mavericks on Saturday.
The Timberwolves (43-28) suffered a setback as the Denver Nuggets (43-28) and Houston Rockets (42-27) too secured wins, causing Minnesota to slip to sixth place in the Western Conference standings.
(Stats Key: Min = Minutes; Tirs = Field Goals Made/Attempted; 3pts = 3-Point Field Goals Made/Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made/Attempted; O = Offensive Rebounds; D = Defensive Rebounds; T = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte = Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Turnovers; Ct = Blocks; +/- = Plus/Minus; Pts = Points; Eval = Player Efficiency Rating)
Portland will look to continue their winning streak as they head home to face the [next opponent to be confirmed]. Minnesota, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back against [next opponent to be confirmed]. Fans can stay updated on team news and schedules through official NBA channels and team websites.
Keep reading
