The Minnesota Timberwolves had an opportunity to snatch a win on the road over the Portland Trailblazers, but ultimately came up short in the end game, losing 113-105.
Following the game, Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau said that the team didn't play tough enough in crunch time to get the job done.
The Blazers banked on their backcourt tandem of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum to fend off the streaking Timberwolves, which, prior to this loss, has won five of their last six outings.
This game was close from start to finish, as both teams traded blows back and forth all throughout the evening. Minnesota certainly had their chances to close out Portland down the stretch as they were up by six points with less than four minutes remaining.
Some timely hits from Lillard and McCollum eventually put Portland ahead, 103-102 with less than three minutes to go. A Karl-Anthony Towns triple on the following possession once again gave the Timberwolves the lead. However, this proved to be the last basket for Minnesota, as they failed to score in the final two-and-a-half minutes of play.
A couple of three-pointers from both Lillard and McCollum in the final minute eventually sealed the win for Portland, as Minnesota failed to execute on both ends down the stretch.
Andrew Wiggins led all Minnesota scorers with 20 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 10 rebounds, as all Timberwolves starters scored in double figures.
The Timberwolves will have a heavy task at hand on their next contest as they try to take down the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Monday.
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