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Allen Crabbe’s hot fourth quarter lifts the Blazers over the Timberwolves 105-98, maintaining Portland’s 1-1/2 game lead over the Nuggets for the final playoff spot.
The Blazers were led by Allen Crabbe with 25 points. The Timberwolves were led by Andrew Wiggins with 36 points.
Recap
First Half
Minnesota jumped out to a 20-12 lead early with Andrew Wiggins (11 in the 1st quarter) owning the Blazers inside. Minnesota was shooting lights out while the Blazers were.....shooting. The Blazers ended the first quarter amongst a smattering of boos from the home crowd . Ricky Rubio scored 13 in the first and the Timberwolves led by 14 after one quarter.
There were no Blazers highlights in the first quarter, so here are some Ricky Rubio highlights.
Ricky Rubio (13 points on 6-of-7 shooting) got off to a start against the Trail Blazers!
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 7, 2017
The @Timberwolves lead 34-20 after 1Q. pic.twitter.com/kDwwLk7NHU
Rubio starts the game on @NBAonTNT a smooth 6-7 from the field!
— NBA (@NBA) April 7, 2017
13 PTS, 2 ASTS from Ricky has the @Timberwolves up 34-20 at the end of 1 pic.twitter.com/74bAb6Tzwa
The 1-2-3 punch of Wiggins, Rubio and Karl-Anthony Towns continued their onslaught against the Blazers. The trio put up 51 in the first half. Allen Crabbe was a lone bright spot for the Blazers, scoring nine off the bench with Damian Lillard struggling and CJ McCollum having minimal impact. Despite an apparent lopsided half, the Blazers were down only eight at the half.
CJ showing why you should always follow your shot... pic.twitter.com/4wF10ikmgc
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 7, 2017
Halftime: Portland 53, Minnesota 61
Second Half
The Timberwolves opened the second half on a 9-2 run, taking a 15-point lead in the opening minutes.
Fortunes, along with a few whistles, favored the Blazers when Towns picked up his fourth foul with just over eight minutes to go in the third; the Blazers took advantage, tying the game with a 17-2 run, forcing the Wolves to put Towns back on the floor just minutes later. With Towns back in, the Wolves regained the lead, heading into the fourth with a seven point advantage.
Wiggins (27p) taking it into his own hands as the @trailblazers cut the deficit.
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 7, 2017
The @Timberwolves hold a 78-73 with 2:51 to go in the 3Q! pic.twitter.com/SX7AuPsK4q
Crabbe exploded in the fourth, his third three of the quarter gave the Blazers a 92-89 lead with just under nine minutes to play. His eighth(!) three gave the team a 97-91 lead. The Wolves, meanwhile, went stone cold and didn’t hit a field goal in the final quarter until nearly two minutes remaining and the Blazers get a much needed win at home. Whew.
Allen Crabbe is unconscious from beyond the arc!
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 7, 2017
Has hit 8-of-10 from 3P land as @trailblazers hold 97-91 lead over the T-Wolves on #TNT! pic.twitter.com/LIxAaXfkrW
4 triples in 2 minutes!
— NBA (@NBA) April 7, 2017
Allen Crabbe is BALLIN' on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/X43c8rcMNb
What's Next
The Blazers host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night at the Moda Center. Tip off is at 7pm. Stay tuned to Blazer's Edge tonight, for extended analysis of this game from Dave Deckard.