DALLAS — On his way to a postgame interview room, Anthony Edwards spotted Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons in the hall, sporting a pair of Edwards’ AE1 signature Adidas sneakers.
As the door closed behind him, Edwards assured Parsons he’d be back soon.
“I told him I’ll bring him back some nice shoes for Game 6,” Edwards said.
We’ll see if that promise holds.
Edwards is optimistic about making another trip to Dallas this weekend after leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 105-100 victory over the Mavericks on Tuesday in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. To secure a return to the Lone Star State, the Timberwolves must win Game 5 on Thursday at Target Center.
Minnesota trails 3-1 in the series.
“What am I supposed to say?” Edwards asked. “Am I supposed to say we’re gonna lose Game 5? No, I’m not gonna ever say that.”
Here are five takeaways from Game 4:
- Edwards and Towns Shine
Fans have been waiting for a performance like this all series. Edwards scored a game-high 29 points with 10 rebounds, narrowly missing his first career triple-double. Despite shooting only 28% in the first three games, Karl-Anthony Towns bounced back, hitting 9-for-13 for 25 points.
Minnesota is 7-1 in the playoffs when Towns scores 18 or more points and 2-5 when he scores fewer.
“We chatted yesterday,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “I told him the past doesn’t dictate the future. Trust your talent. Stay confident. Shots will fall. That’s how shooting works. We just have to wait for the odds to turn in our favor.”
And turn they did.
Towns adopted a more balanced shot selection, making 2-for-3 in the first half and 7-of-10 in the third and fourth quarters. His diversified approach included a couple of crucial late-game threes.
Finch used a football analogy to emphasize Edwards’ responsibilities in Game 4, likening him to a tailback who needs to burst through holes to challenge the second level of Dallas’ defense.
“Once you get to the second line, they’re at your disposal,” Finch told Edwards.
The 22-year-old attacked the paint with the intensity of former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, benefiting the Timberwolves.
- Timberwolves Contain Doncic and Irving
Minnesota effectively limited Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Edwards guarded Doncic, while defensive specialist Jaden McDaniels took on Irving.
The Mavericks’ star duo combined for 44 points on 13-for-39 shooting. Doncic logged his ninth postseason triple-double (28 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists), tying Wilt Chamberlain for ninth all-time. Irving finished with 16 points on 6-for-18 shooting.
“We’re in the NBA,” Irving said. “No team is going to give me and Luka open shots. Some of our shots could’ve been better, a few were rushed, and some were in and out.”
Edwards and Towns outscored Doncic and Irving 54-44. In the first three games, the Dallas pair averaged 60.3 points compared to 37 from Edwards and Towns.
“[Edwards and McDaniels] did a good job of being physical, understanding tendencies, and keeping them off the free throw line,” Minnesota point guard Mike Conley said. “Those two were crucial in that matchup.”
- Minnesota Seals the Deal
The Timberwolves had entered the fourth quarter of every game in this series either tied or leading by five points. They led 78-73 going into the fourth quarter of Game 4 and finally found a way to finish.
In the first three games, Minnesota’s offensive rating was 114.3, dropping to 95.5 in the fourth quarter. The team scored 22, 22, and 20 points in those quarters, respectively. In Game 4, they scored 27, led by Towns, who scored 10 points and hit 3-of-4 from deep in the final quarter.
“It came together for him,” Edwards said. “He played with confidence and didn’t worry about previous misses. He was exceptional and came through when we needed him. He’s why we won.”
Edwards joked that he planned to “beat him up on the bus” for fouling out with 1:38 left. However, Towns scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half. Before Game 4, Towns hadn’t scored 10 points in any half of the series.
- Kleber Returns; Lively II Sits Out
The Mavericks ruled out Dereck Lively II for Game 4 due to a neck strain sustained in Game 3. The rookie could barely turn his head when arriving at American Airlines Center.
Lively’s absence allowed more minutes for Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber, who returned after separating his right shoulder in the first half of Dallas’ Game 6 win over the LA Clippers in the first round.
Finch anticipated that Kleber’s return would give Dallas a different look.
“That gives them a stretch lineup we haven’t seen all series,” he said.
Kleber played 13 minutes, scoring two points as Dallas ran different plays to get him open shots, though it was clear he wasn’t fully comfortable.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd thought Kleber “did great” in limited action.
Lively’s return remains uncertain. His condition on Tuesday didn’t inspire much optimism for Game 5.
“He’s crucial to our defense and offense,” Doncic said.
Minnesota recognized this and adjusted their strategy accordingly, according to Conley.
- Kidd Reflects on Past and Present
Kidd, a member of the last Dallas team to win a championship, is naturally biased when comparing that 2011 squad to the current team.
“I’m gonna say the ’11 team was better for sure because I was on it,” he said. “Dirk [Nowitzki] is my neighbor. I don’t want to [tick] him off.”
Fair enough.
With Kidd at the helm in 2011, Dallas defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals before upsetting the Miami Heat 4-2 in the Finals to win the organization’s only title.
Kidd sees similarities between that team and the current squad, which could end this conference finals series 4-1 like his team did.
“This team might have more talent and youth,” Kidd said. “The veterans on the ’11 team knew their roles and executed them perfectly. Both teams embody the concepts of teamwork and sacrifice. The 2011 team sacrificed a lot, with many players accepting roles they might have thought were too small.”
Kidd spent time at Nowitzki’s house on Monday and has stayed in touch with former teammates Jason Terry and Shawn Marion this week.
“They like the team and what’s happening,” he said.
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