The Minnesota Timberwolves now have a lead in the Western Conference semifinal series with the Golden State Warriors. After losing the first game at home, Minnesota has won the last two games in which the Warriors are without injured star Steph Curry, triumphing in the second 102:97.

Anthony Edwards was the star for the Wolves in Game 3 in San Francisco. He scored 28 of his 36 points in the second half. Julius Randle was on point again and finished with a triple-double - 24 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Jaden McDaniels scored 15 points, and Rudy Gobert came close to a double-double - 9 points and 13 boards, also making 4 blocks. A 20:7 run by the Timberwolves in the final quarter proved to be crucial to the final outcome.

For Golden State, Jimmy Butler III had a strong performance with 33 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, while Jonathan Kuminga added 30 points off the bench. Buddy Hield added 14 points, but their efforts were not enough.

Game 4 is back in the Warriors' arena on Monday night.

In the East, the defending champions Boston Celtics closed won their third meeting with the New York Knicks, winning 115-93. At Madison Square Garden, the Celtics did not let their lead be erased this time, after blowing 20-point leads in each of their first two home games.

Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 23 points off the bench. Jayson Tatum added 22, and Jaylen Brown (19), Derrick White (17) and Al Horford (15) also scored in double figures. | BGNES