T-Wolves push Lakers to brink of shock exit

LOS ANGELES: Anthony Edwards scored 43 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves outgunned the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch to win a pulsating NBA playoff clash 116-113 and take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.

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Luka Doncic scored 38 points and LeBron James added 27 for the Lakers, who took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter but are now one game away from elimination.

Jaden McDaniels drove for a basket and drew a foul with 39.5 seconds to play, converting the free throw to put Minnesota up 114-113.

McDaniels then stole an inbounds pass from James and Edwards drew a foul on the Lakers superstar and made two free throws that sealed it as Austin Reaves missed a final three-point attempt.

The Lakers will try to stay alive in the best-of-seven series when they host game five tomorrow.

Only 13 NBA teams have rallied from 3-1 down to win a playoff series.

"We haven't lost nothing yet," Doncic said. "It’s still the first one to four wins."

The defending champions Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers all took 3-1 leads in their Eastern Conference series.

The Celtics held off the Orlando Magic 107-98, the Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons 94-93 and the Pacers led wire-to-wire in a 129-103 victory over the Bucks in Milwaukee.

In Minneapolis, it was a frantic finish to a physical game.