McDaniels, Reid lead Edwards-less Timberwolves past Trail Blazers, 114-98

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) celebrates after scoring a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) celebrates after scoring a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) and guard Rob Dillingham (4) slap hands during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) grabs a rebound against Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid celebrates after scoring a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara dribbles while Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker loses control of the ball while shooting as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton, behind center, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) shoots between Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) and center Deandre Ayton, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert shoots against Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

By PHIL ERVIN

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jaden McDaniels had 30 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, Naz Reid scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a 15-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-98 on Saturday night.

Minnesota played without All-Star guard Anthony Edwards for the second time this season after he was held out as a precaution because of soreness in his right hip. The Timberwolves also were missing Mike Conley (sprained right index), Julius Randle (strained right groin) and Donte DiVincenzo (sprained left big toe).

Reid hit three timely 3-pointers to help Minnesota to its third straight victory on a night when fans received his bobblehead. The Timberwolves have won eight of 10.

Anfernee Simons led Portland with 21 points. Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe each had 14.

Takeaways

Trail Blazers: Portland had won six straight.

Timberwolves: Point guard Rob Dillingham, the eighth pick in the 2024 NBA draft, had eight points on 4-of-12 shooting (0 for 4 on 3-pointers) and six assists in his first career start.

Key moment

Rudy Gobert’s block led to McDaniels’ running, pull-up shot that gave Minnesota a 91-90 lead with 6:48 left. The sequence capped a 21-7 run.

Key stat

Minnesota outscored Portland 38-14 in the fourth quarter.

Up next

Both teams play Monday night. The Trail Blazers are at Denver, and the Timberwolves are at Cleveland.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

PHIL ERVIN

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