Anthony Edwards recorded 41 points and seven rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves used a strong fourth quarter to post a 118-114 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.
Julius Randle had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Jaden McDaniels scored 18 points for Minnesota, which never led by more than four points. Terrence Shannon Jr. had 10 points off the bench for the Timberwolves, who lost in the Western Conference finals in each of the past two seasons.
New reserve Jerami Grant scored 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting for Portland. He came off the bench for the first time since the 2019-20 season when he played for the Denver Nuggets.
Deni Avdija added 20 points and seven rebounds, Shaedon Sharpe scored 15 points, Jrue Holiday had 14 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals and Toumani Camara contributed 10 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Trail Blazers.
Minnesota outscored Portland 30-19 in the final quarter and held the Trail Blazers to 4-of-19 shooting (21.1%).
Edwards drilled a 3-pointer to give Minnesota a 114-112 lead with 1:14 remaining. Rudy Gobert’s putback dunk gave the Timberwolves a four-point lead with 32.1 seconds left.
Avdija made two free throws with 28.8 seconds left to pull the Trail Blazers within two. But Edwards created operating room against Camara and swished a 20-footer with seven seconds left to put the game away.
Minnesota shot 48.8% from the field, including 15 of 30 from 3-point range. Edwards made 5 of his 10 from long range.
The Trail Blazers shot 40% from the field and were 13 of 42 from behind the arc.
Grant drilled a 3-pointer to give Portland a 103-95 lead with 9:14 left in the contest.
Minnesota responded with a 13-4 burst to take its first second-half lead at 108-107 on a 3-pointer by Edwards with 3:36 to play.
After Portland tied the game at 108, Grant sank two free throws with 2:40 left to put the Trail Blazers back into the lead.
The Trail Blazers led 61-57 at halftime and protected it through the third quarter.
Mike Conley’s trey pulled the Timberwolves within 82-81 with 3:47 left in the period before Portland scored 13 of 20 points to end the quarter. Donovan Clingan drained a 3-pointer with 4.8 seconds remaining as the Trail Blazers took a 95-88 advantage into the final quarter.
Grant scored 16 points in 14 first-half minutes. Edwards scored 18 in the half for Minnesota.
