
Rudy Gobert's ‘absurd' performance. Plus, who would the Wolves rather face?
Despite entering the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament and without home-court advantage, the Minnesota Timberwolves are through to the Western Conference semifinals after a resounding 4-1 gentleman's sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, sealed by Wednesday night's 103-96 win at the Crypto.com Arena.
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The stakes will only get higher for Minnesota, as it now awaits the winner of the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets series. While the Timberwolves split the season series with Houston 2-2, the Rockets would have home-court advantage if they were to progress, and Minnesota lost the season series against the Warriors, 3-1.
However, the Timberwolves already proved the doubters wrong against the Lakers. And if Anthony Edwards needed any extra motivation, the 23-year-old could add Stephen Curry to his growing list of playoff scalps if Golden State were to advance.
On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discussed Rudy Gobert's dominant performance, the Timberwolves advancing despite their poor shooting night, Julius Randle stepping up in Game 5, and whether Houston or Golden State is a better match up for Minnesota. Watch the full discussion below.
Watch the full episode of 'NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel, or via the 'NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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Springer hits go-ahead homer in Blue Jays' 5-4 win over Twins
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Springer hits go-ahead homer in Blue Jays' 5-4 win over Twins
Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — George Springer hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 on Saturday. Springer went deep against Twins reliever Griffin Jax (1-4), who allowed a leadoff double to Addison Barger one at-bat earlier. Springer's 10th homer of the season made it 4-3 just as a light rain started falling at Target Field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tacked on an insurance run with a two-out RBI single in the ninth off Twins closer Jhoan Duran. Chad Green (2-1) pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn the win. Jeff Hoffman allowed a solo homer in the ninth to Kody Clemens but still earned his 15th save. Minnesota took a 3-2 lead in the sixth on a solo home run by Matt Wallner. The Twins DH went deep to right against Toronto starter Kevin Gausman, his second homer in the past three days. Gausman didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning. The Twins' first hit by Ryan Jeffers sparked a two-run inning that tied the game. Twins starter Chris Paddack allowed runs in each of the first two innings but settled down after that. Paddack faced the minimum in the third and fifth innings. Minnesota had the bases loaded in the seventh but came up empty as Carlos Correa flew out to end the threat. Key moment Barger's leadoff double helped set the tone in the eighth. He found plenty of space in left field to easily put the tying run in scoring position against Jax. Key stat With a no-decision in Saturday's game, Gausman has just one win in 14 career starts against the Twins. He has a career 6.44 ERA versus Minnesota. Up next Toronto RHP Bowden Francis (2-7, 5.84 ERA) takes the mound for Sunday's series finale, looking for his first win since April 18. The Twins will counter with RHP Joe Ryan (6-2, 2.91), who has won four of his last five starts. recommended


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Springer hits go-ahead homer in Blue Jays' 5-4 win over Twins
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