Minnesota Timberwolves beat San Antonio Spurs 104-102 on the road on Monday, May 4. The Spurs led after three quarters, but the Timberwolves took control in the fourth.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Timberwolves struck first, taking the opening quarter 24-23 and a 1-point lead after one. The Spurs pulled even with a 22-21 second quarter, sending the game to halftime tied at 45.
The Spurs won the third 27-24 to turn the game around, taking a 3-point lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 35-30; the Timberwolves completed the comeback for a 104-102 regulation win.
What decided it
The Timberwolves took better care of the ball, turning it over on 10.3% of possessions compared with 13.7% for the Spurs. In a 2-point game, those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 96 possessions per team, the Timberwolves produced 108.2 points per 100 possessions to 106.2 for the Spurs.
Who made the difference
Stephon Castle was the game's biggest individual force for SAS: 17 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast on 4-8 shooting. His Game Score of 14.8 led everyone. His team was +4 with him on the floor.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 18 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast on 8-13 shooting, good for a 14 Game Score.
Victor Wembanyama (11 pts, 15 reb, 5 ast) and Julius Randle (21 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
By our Win Meter this was an upset: The Timberwolves entered with about a 18% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 5-2.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.