Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the brink of their second straight trip to the Western Conference finals.
Teams leading 3-1 in the NBA playoffs have won 95.6% of the time, with only 13 teams in 293 tries coming back to win three straight games.
And that’s the same tough spot the Golden State Warriors are in after the Timberwolves’ 117-110 win on Monday.
Julius Randle led the way with 31 points, followed by Edwards with 30. Edwards got off to a sluggish start, but he scored 11 points during a 17-0 third-quarter run.
“I didn’t like how we were playing overall, and I didn’t like how I was playing individually,” Edwards said. “I know I had to pick it up.”
The Warriors opened the series with a win at Minnesota and will have to win there again to keep their season alive. They’ll still be without star Stephen Curry, who missed his third consecutive game and was set to have his strained left hamstring re-evaluated Wednesday.
Jimmy Butler didn’t feel well before or during Game 4 but coach Steve Kerr is counting on “Playoff Jimmy” showing up with the season on the line Wednesday.
“He does whatever is necessary to win,” Kerr said. “And I’m confident that Game 5, he’s the ultimate competitor. He’ll be ready to roll.”
GAME 5 PREVIEW
Golden State Warriors (48-34, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. CDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -10; over/under is 203.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Timberwolves lead series 3-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves look to clinch the Western Conference second round over the Golden State Warriors in game five. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 102-97 in the last meeting on Sunday. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 36 points, and Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 33.
The Timberwolves are 33-19 in Western Conference games. Minnesota is third in the Western Conference in team defense, giving up just 109.3 points while holding opponents to 46.0% shooting.
The Warriors are 29-23 in Western Conference play. Golden State is fifth in the NBA with 45.4 rebounds per game. Draymond Green leads the Warriors with 6.1.
The Timberwolves score 114.3 points per game, 3.8 more points than the 110.5 the Warriors allow. The Warriors are shooting 45.1% from the field, 0.9% lower than the 46.0% the Timberwolves' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Edwards is scoring 27.6 points per game with 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Timberwolves. Julius Randle is averaging 21.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 49.3% over the past 10 games.
Butler is scoring 17.5 points per game and averaging 5.4 rebounds for the Warriors. Buddy Hield is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 8-2, averaging 107.7 points, 44.5 rebounds, 24.1 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 98.7 points per game.
Warriors: 5-5, averaging 101.7 points, 40.6 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.5 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: None listed.
Warriors: Stephen Curry: out (hamstring).
The Associated Press contributed to this story.