The Minnesota Timberwolves are one victory away from winning a playoff series for the first time in 20 years.
The Timberwolves look to finish off a four-game sweep of the host Phoenix Suns on Sunday night after winning the first three games of the Western Conference first-round series by an average of 18 points.
Third-seeded Minnesota leads a playoff series 3-0 for the first time in franchise history. A team with a 3-0 lead has never lost its series in NBA history.
That’s an outstanding position to be in, but star guard Anthony Edwards won’t view the series as over before his team gets the fourth win.
“I haven’t won a series yet,” the 22-year-old Edwards said. “I’ve been sent home twice so I’m thirsty to get it.”
The sixth-seeded Suns are on the other side of the coin after a 126-109 home loss in Game 3 leaves them facing a monumental deficit.
“It’s an opportunity for us to do something that’s never been done before,” Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said. “We’re going to embrace that. There’s no quit in this group. We have to take it one game at a time and that’s where our whole focus will be.”
The Suns were viewed as an NBA title contender behind the star trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Yet, Phoenix is on the brink of not winning a single playoff game this season.
Not surprisingly, the boo-birds were out Friday as the Suns never once led in the contest.
“That’s sports,” Vogel said. “You get your butt kicked at home, you’re going to get booed. I don’t blame them.”
Edwards had 36 points and nine rebounds to pace Minnesota in Game 3. He scored 18 points in the final period.
He also has seven career 30-point outings in the postseason, tying the franchise record set by Kevin Garnett.
The Timberwolves owned a 50-28 rebounding advantage while dominating the interior. In fact, three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert is often causing the Suns to forego driving to the hoop and settle for outside shots.
“That’s what I do best,” Gobert said. “I try to be a presence, give confidence to my teammates, making sure I’m there for them. I’m trying to get some blocks, but they don’t really try me. So at the end of the day, that’s better than any block.”
Gobert had 19 points and 14 rebounds and fellow big man Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points and 13 rebounds in Game 3.
The pre-series chatter that Phoenix is the better team has quickly evaporated. Minnesota coach Chris Finch said his players weren’t worried about that notion.
“What they do take personally is that they have to keep proving themselves and that’s the message we keep telling them,” Finch said.
Closing out a series is never easy, especially trying to finish if off on an opponent’s home floor.
“We’re just embracing the moment,” Gobert said. “We have only one goal in mind and we’re trying to make sure we don’t get distracted by the success or the ups and downs. We’re just locked in.”
The Suns now look for a turnaround performance that at least gets them to Minneapolis for Game 5.
“Obviously, it’s the first to four and our backs are against the wall,” Beal said. “You can’t give in; you can’t give up. We have to compete and go in there on Sunday and all you can do is give yourself a chance.”
Suns guard Grayson Allen (ankle) missed Game 3 and his status for Sunday hasn’t been determined.
–Field Level Media