Wolves even with Grizz; Celtics go up 3-0 on Nets

On Apr 24, 2022

The 2022 NBA playoffs are offering up another appetizing slate of games Saturday.

The big news was that Luka Doncic made his 2022 playoff debut for the Dallas Mavericks, but the Utah Jazz won the game, 100-99. Rudy Gobert had 17 points, 10 rebounds and scored the game-winning basket to help the Jazz even the series, 2-2.

In the other early game, Pascal Siakam dropped a playoff career-high 34 points, helping the Toronto Raptors to a 110-102 Game 4 win over the Philadelphia 76ers to avoid a sweep. Philadelphia still leads the series 3-1.

No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win an NBA playoff series.

Speaking of 3-0 deficits, the Nets find themselves on the verge of being swept after losing Game 3 to the Boston Celtics in Brooklyn. Jayson Tatum dropped 39 points, while Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving finished with 16 points each.

In the nightcap, the Timberwolves bounced back after coughing up a big lead in Game 3 and edged the Grizzlies 119-118 to send the series back to Memphis tied 2-2.

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Check out USA TODAY Sports’ analysis from all of Saturday’s action:

T’wolves bounce back to even series vs. Grizzlies

Two nights after blowing a 26-point lead in a disappointing Game 3 loss, Minnesota did just enough to hold off Memphis and even the series.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 33 points and 14 rebounds, and Anthony Edwards had 24 points as the Timberwolves edged the Grizzlies 119-118 in Game 4. Patrick Beverley had 17 points, and Jordan McLaughlin added 16 off the bench.

Ja Morant set a Memphis playoff record with 15 assists, but Minnesota made it tough to score all night. Morant finished with 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting. Jaren Jackson Jr. also had a tough game and battled foul trouble. He finished with seven points before fouling out with 4:29 left.

Desmond Bane stepped up for the Grizzlies with 34 points, including 8-of-12 from 3-point range. Dillon Brooks added 24 points.

Animal rights activist tackled on court during Grizzles-Timberwolves game

A fan was removed from Game 4 between the Grizzles and Timberwolves at Minnesota’s Target Center after the woman ran onto the court and disrupted play.

The game was stopped with 10:44 left in the third quarter when the woman ran onto the court. She was instantly tackled by security and dragged off the floor.

Direct Action Everywhere, an animal rights activist organization, identified the game protestor as Sasha Zemmel. The organization claimed that Zemmel was “dressed as #NBA Ref… while attempting to ‘eject’ #Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor.”

This is the third fan protest at a Minnesota game this postseason. During the Timberwolves’ play-in game against the Los Angeles Clippers, an animal rights protester glued her hand to the hardwood along the baseline and sprawled out before security was able to pry her away. During Game 1 of the first-round series, a protestor chained herself to the back of the basket.

Direct Action Everywhere has claimed the stunts are part of “ongoing efforts to get Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor to step down and return factory farm bailout money.”

Grizzles cut Timberwolves’ lead to 56-60 at halftime

Deja vu? The Minnesota Timberwolves led by as many as 15 points in the first half before the Memphis Grizzles were able to cut the lead to four at halftime in Game 4.

After putting up only eight points in Game 3, Karl-Anthony Towns has 14 points, thanks to seven free throws. Patrick Beverly has 12 points and Anthony Edwards has seven.

Desmond Bane leads the Grizzles with 21 points, shooting 7-of-9 from the field and 6-of-7 from 3-point range. Dillon Brooks has 10 points and Ja Morant scored four points on 1-of-4 from the field and 0-of-1 from 3.

Anthony Edwards returns to bench after injury scare

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ 20-year-old superstar exited Game 4 with 6:37 left in the first quarter after appearing to suffer a knee injury. Edwards was bringing the ball up the court when he stopped, grabbed his right knee after no obvious contact and asked to be taken out of the game. He hopped over to the sidelines on one foot, where he was helped up by team staff and limped back to the locker room with assistance.