NBA: Julius Randle helps Timberwolves top Magic for 3rd straight win
Jan 9, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) shoots against Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) during the second half of an NBA game at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Julius Randle collected 23 points and 10 rebounds and Anthony Edwards added 21 points, lifting the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves to a 104-89 victory over the Orlando Magic in the NBA on Thursday.
Edwards had seven assists and joined Donte DiVincenzo in draining four 3-pointers to pace the Timberwolves to their third win in a row. Edwards, however, made just 5 of 19 shots from the floor and 4 of 11 from beyond the arc.
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Minnesota’s Naz Reid scored 16 points off the bench, DiVincenzo finished with 12 and Rudy Gobert recorded 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
Orlando’s Goga Bitadze collected 15 points and eight rebounds and Caleb Houstan had 14 points.
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Julius Randle caught up with @leabolsen after the dub! #BringTheNice pic.twitter.com/ToRqn7hCn9
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13 points and Cole Anthony added 12 for the Magic, who shot just 25 percent from 3-point range. Orlando has lost four of its last five home games.
Magic superstar Paolo Banchero sat out after being a game-time decision to return from a right oblique injury that had sidelined him since Oct. 30. He is expected to draw into the lineup for Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Anthony made a basket to forge a tie at 37-37 with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter before Edwards sank his fourth 3-pointer to ignite a 15-2 run to end the half. Mike Conley scored seven points in that stretch, capped by a 3-pointer with 32 seconds left in the quarter.
Caldwell-Pope made a pair of 3-pointers to help trim Minnesota’s lead to 60-55 midway into the third quarter. The Timberwolves, however, went on an 18-7 run to close the quarter, highlighted by an emphatic one-handed dunk by Edwards.
Randle made a layup and Jaden McDaniels converted a three-point play and a technical foul free throw to push Minnesota’s lead to 84-62 early in the fourth quarter.
Orlando made a modest run, however the Timberwolves were not seriously threatened the rest of the way. –Field Level Media
