AUSTIN (AP) — Anthony Edwards had 33 points in 25 minutes and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated San Antonio 151-131, the most points allowed in regulation under Spurs coach Gregg Popovich at the Moody Center on Saturday.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points, Mike Conley had 20 points, and Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves shot 56% on 3 points and won for the sixth time in nine games. Minnesota won’t finish worse than ninth in the Western Conference but still has a chance to overtake New Orleans for eighth.
Julian Champagnie had 24 points ahead of San Antonio, who will end up with one of the three worst records in the league. Keita Bates-Diop added 22 points and Tre Jones had 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
The Spurs last home game of the season was played in Austin. The Spurs played their final two games at the Moody Center on the University of Texas campus as part of the Spurs’ regional outreach initiative.
San Antonio struggled offensively with their entire starting lineup injured except for Jones.
Minnesota leads by as much as 33 points.
TIP INS
Timberwolves: Minnesota co-owner Alex Rodriguez sat on the sidelines alongside former San Antonio star Tony Parker. Popovich greeted Rodriguez before the tip. … The Timberwolves have shared their four-game streak with the Spurs this season. The average winning margin in each game was 12.5 points.
Spurs: Popovich said the team sent C. Zach Collins home after the finger he recently had stitches on became swollen. “Looks like some kind of infection,” Popovich said. Collins will not play in the Spurs finals in Dallas on Sunday. … San Antonio honored former All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge after the first quarter. Aldridge recently announced his retirement after playing 16 seasons in the league, including 5 1/2 with Spurs. Aldridge played in Texas before being drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 2006. … San Antonio finished this season 14-27 at home. The Spurs were 16-25 at home last season.
NEXT
Timberwolves: host New Orleans on Sunday.
Spurs: Sunday in Dallas.
___
AP NBA: and
Source