The Minnesota Timberwolves took a 2-1 lead in the series with the Los Angeles Lakers from the first round of the playoffs in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association after a home victory with 116:104, BTA reported.
"The Timberwolves" withstood the exceptional game that the "star" of the Californians LeBron James made. The 40-year-old wing scored 38 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but this was not enough for the guests to take the lead for the first time in the series.
Five minutes before the end of the game in Minneapolis, the score was tied - 103:103. However, two consecutive three-pointers by Anthony Edwards and Naz Reed gave Minnesota a 109-103 lead, and the Lakers failed to score another field goal until the end of regulation.
Jaden McDaniels scored a career-high 30 points for Minnesota in the playoffs. Edwards finished with 29 points, and Julius Randle added 22 more points.
For the Lakers, Austin Reeves added 20 points, and Luka Doncic had 17, but none of the other players on the visitors surpassed the 8-point mark.
In the East, the Orlando Magic reduced their deficit to 1-2 wins in the series against the champion Boston Celtics after a home win with 95:93.
"The Celts" had an 11-point lead at the start of the second half, but led by German Franz Wagner, the hosts made a turnaround and at one point even had a 12-point lead. Wagner scored 32 points, while Paolo Banquero added 29.
For Boston, Jayson Tatum scored 36 points, and Jaylen Brown added 19.
In another Eastern Conference series, the Milwaukee Bucks also closed their gap to 1-2 with a 117-101 home win over the Indiana Pacers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr. each scored 37 points for the "Stags", who rallied from a 10-point deficit at halftime.
Pascal Siakam scored 28 points for Indiana.