The Minnesota Timberwolves ended the Portland Trail Blazers' winning streak at three with a 133-109 victory on Wednesday night. Julius Randle led the way with 41 points, including a spectacular windmill dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy at the Target Center. Jaden McDaniels contributed 21 points, while Anthony Edwards, despite being listed as questionable due to illness, managed 14 points. The Timberwolves, playing their final game before the All-Star break, showcased their depth and talent, with McDaniels' floating jumper extending their lead to 50-38 in the second quarter. The game was a stark contrast to the Trail Blazers' struggles, who trailed by 28 points and committed 25 turnovers. Jrue Holiday scored 23 points for Portland, but Scoot Henderson, returning from a hamstring injury, only managed 18 points in his third game back. The Timberwolves' momentum continued into the third quarter, with Edwards and Randle hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to extend their lead to 73-59. Rudy Gobert's dunk capped a dominant 16-2 run, giving Minnesota a commanding 79-59 lead. While Portland mounted a late comeback, closing the third quarter on a 10-3 run to trail 96-82, they couldn't overcome the deficit. The Blazers' struggles were further exacerbated by the absence of Shaedon Sharpe, who missed his third straight game due to a left calf strain. The Timberwolves' next challenge awaits as they host Dallas on Friday, Feb. 20, while the Trail Blazers travel to Utah on Thursday night.
