MINNESOTA Timberwolves squandered an early lead before pulling away to a 105-93 victory over Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference first round series on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jaden McDaniels spearheaded the Timberwolves’ offense with 25 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists, while Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert contributed 18 markers apiece.
Anthony Edwards finishes with 15 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Nickeil Alexander-Walker ended with 12 and 10, respectively, as they took a 2-0 series lead.
The Timberwolves had a strong start, leading 16-7 early in the opening quarter, but the Suns clawed their way back and took a 51-50 advantage at the half.
Minnesota, however, turned things around in the third quarter behind McDaniels and Edwards for a 78-71 lead before widening it to its largest at 102-83 in the fourth quarter.
Devin Booker top-scored for the Suns with 20 points, Kevin Durant added 18 markers, while Eric Gordon, Bradley Beal, and Jusuf Nurkic contributed 15, 14, and 10 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, Indiana Pacers became the first road team to win in the NBA Playoffs after a 125-108 rout of Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first round series at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Paskal Siakam led the way with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, while Myles Turner chipped in 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three blocks for the Pacers.
Andrew Nembhard finished with 20 points, Tyrese Haliburton ended with a double-double of 12 points and 12 assists, while Aaron Nesmith tallied 11 points as the Pacers tied the series at 1-1.
Damian Lillard finished with 34 points, Brook Lopez added 22 markers, while Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis had 15 and 14, respectively, for the Bucks, which were without star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo./PN
BOX SCORE:
MINNESOTA 105 — McDaniels 25, Conley 18, Gobert 18, Edwards 15, Towns 12, Alexander-Walker 10, Reid 5, Morris 2, Garza 0, McLaughlin 0, Moore 0, Warren 0.
PHOENIX 93 — Booker 20, Durant 18, Gordon 15, Beal 14, Nurkic 10, Eubanks 8, Little 5, Allen 3, O’Neale 0, Bol 0, Okogie 0, Roddy 0.
Quarterscores: 24-21, 50-51, 78-71, 105-93.
