NBA: Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves overpower Blazers
Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Target Center on December 6, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Harrison Barden/Getty Images/AFP
Karl-Anthony Towns collected 27 points and 13 rebounds to lift the host Minnesota Timberwolves to a 124-81 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Monday night in Minneapolis.
Towns was named the Western Conference Player of the Week earlier on Monday, two days after he recorded 36 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in the Timberwolves’ 135-121 win over the Trail Blazers.
He followed that up by making 8 of 14 shots from the floor on Monday to help Minnesota complete a four-game season sweep of Portland.
KAT PUT IT BACK pic.twitter.com/BwOmHBB53b
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 8, 2022
Malik Beasley scored 19 points hours after being fined $35,000 by the NBA for making unnecessary and inappropriate contact with Portland’s Drew Eubanks in Saturday’s game.
Naz Reid recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds and Jordan McLaughlin added 11 points to aid the Timberwolves in extending their winning streak to a season high-tying five games. All 13 players that suited up for Minnesota had at least two points and one rebound.
Brandon Williams collected 27 points, eight rebounds and four steals and Keon Johnson added 14 points off the bench for the Trail Blazers, who lost their fifth straight game.
Portland’s Anfernee Simons sat out with a left quad contusion after draining a career-high nine 3-pointers to finish with 38 points on Saturday.
Towns set the early tone on Monday by scoring 11 straight points for his team, giving Minnesota an 18-8 lead. The Timberwolves kept the pressure on as Taurean Prince and Beasley each made a three-point play en route to securing a 31-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Portland cut a 21-point deficit to 14 with 5:59 to play in the second quarter before Minnesota answered with a flourish. Beasley scored four quick points and Towns strung together seven in a row to send the Timberwolves on their way to a 61-34 lead at halftime.
Minnesota pushed its advantage to 32 points early in the third quarter and didn’t let up despite the sizable lead. Portland’s Greg Brown III, in fact, took a nonchalant approach to a layup that ultimately was blocked by Reid with 2:35 to play in the quarter.
