NBA playoffs: LA Lakers on brink of elimination as Anthony Edwards scores 43 points
The Minnesota Timberwolves have put the Los Angeles Lakers on the brink of elimination following back-to-back home matchups, after taking a 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.
Anthony Edwards’ 43-point performance helped Minnesota win Game 4 116-113.
A miserable fourth quarter pushed the Lakers to the edge of elimination.
Edwards also added nine rebounds and six assists on 12-of-23 shooting.
Julius Randle chipped in 25 points, and McDaniels added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota, who trailed by 12 late in the third quarter.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 38 points, his third 30-point outing in the series.
LeBron James finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds while Rui Hachimura added 23.
At half time, the Timberwolves held a 61-58 lead.
The Lakers opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run and flipped a three-point deficit into an eight-point lead. Minnesota scored nine straight points to cut the deficit to two points, but the Lakers’ late 14-6 run in the third helped them to gain momentum ahead of the final period.
The fourth quarter was one-way traffic, and it was fully dominated by the Wolves.
If Timberwolves drop the next game, they will have one more chance to wrap up the series in Game 6.
Lakers, on the other hand, are now primed for a win-or-be-eliminated Game 5 on Wednesday.
NBA playoffs: LA Lakers on brink of elimination as Anthony Edwards scores 43 points
