T-Wolves snap 3-game slide with 109-104 win over Cavaliers

Malik Beasley scored 23 points and rookie Anthony Edwards finished with 23 in his second straight start as Minnesota Timberwolves held on to beat Cleveland Cavaliers 109-104 on Sunday night.

D’Angelo Russell ded 19 points for Minnesota, which snapped a three-game losing streak and won for just third time in 17 games.

Timberwolves used ir 3-point shooting to overcome a dominant game inside by Andre Drummond and Cleveland. Wolves connected on a season-high 16 3s, converting 40% from beyond arc.

Drummond h 25 points and 22 rebounds — his third 20-20 game of year — and Cavaliers scored a season-high 72 points in paint. Collin Sexton ded 16 points as Cleveland lost for fourth time in five games.

With Karl-Anthony Towns and backup center Naz Reid out due to COVID-19 and a wrist injury, respectively, Wolves h match for Drummond inside.

Going to big man early allowed Cleveland to build a double-digit vant as Drummond bullied his way to rim against Minnesota’s smaller defenders. Drummond h 10 points and six rebounds in first quarter, while Cavaliers shot 70% from field in quarter.

Wolves closed gap to 61-55 at halftime on a pair of 3s by Russell and Beasley, and n took control early in third. tantalizing scoring ability of Edwards, . 1 pick, was on display with 11 points in third.

Edwards was aggressive, getting to rim with a variety of spin moves and driving layups. He also shot 4 of 7 from long range.

Russell hit a 3 to put Minnesota ahe 95-90 and walked to bench with both arms raised following a Cleveland timeout. Cavaliers forwards Larry Nance and Cedi Osman stood near where Russell shot, arguing about defensive covers.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: With three points early in game, Drummond became fifth active player with 9,000 points and 8,000 rebounds in his career, joining LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler and LaMarcus Aldridge. Drummond began day as only player this season with at least 300 points and 250 rebounds. … Darius Garland h 17 points and five assists.

Timberwolves: Reid missed his second straight game with a right wrist sprain. Coach Ryan Saunders said Reid worked out before game and was a game-time decision. Towns’ absence stretched to eight games since testing positive for COVID-19. … Juancho Hernangomez also missed his eighth straight game while in league’s health and safety protocols. Jarrett Culver has missed past three games with a left ankle sprain. … Guard Jaylen well tied his career-high with 12 points off bench.

HOBBLED BUT EFFECTIVE

Sexton left game in second quarter and appeared to aggravate left ankle sprain that caused him to miss five games. He went down awkwardly after a jump shot and hopped away, but stayed in game momentarily.

He later went to locker room before returning and working on ankle with a trainer near bench. Sexton played 32 minutes in his seventh game back since missing time with injury.

STILL SCORING

Kevin Love missed his 18th game this season with a right calf strain, but h some news of his own to anunce. Love took to Instagram to anunce his engment to Kate Bock , a Canian model who has appeared in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Love wrote, “’Souls tend to go back to who feels like home.’ My Fiancé. Joy of My Life,” on Instagram.

UP NEXT

teams finish a home-and-home, back-to-back Monday in Cleveland.

Im credits: AP