Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch shared his thoughts after his team’s gritty 102-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series on Saturday night. With the win, the Timberwolves now lead the series 2-1 heading into Monday’s Game 4 at Chase Center.
The game was hard-fought, and Finch noted how the team adjusted offensively in the fourth quarter. “We started playing through Julius a little bit more and got great spacing,” Finch said. “For the first time consistently all game, we actually went somewhere.”
Julius Randle, who registered a triple-double with 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, struggled early but stepped up in critical moments. Finch praised Randle’s all-around effort, highlighting his hustle and defensive plays. “He’s playing with so much force and determination,” Finch stated. “His ability to chase down rebounds and play a complete game has been huge for us.”
The Timberwolves’ success in clutch moments has been evident in the postseason. Finch emphasized the team’s improvement in winning possession battles late in games. “We’re not giving up cheap turnovers or second-chance opportunities,” he explained. “Today, we were really big on the boards, getting second-shot opportunities ourselves.”
Anthony Edwards, who led the team with 36 points, had a quiet first half but turned it on in the second. Finch discussed the adjustments made to allow Edwards more space to operate. “We needed to spread the floor for him,” Finch said. “He needed to go downhill. There was too much traffic around him at times.”
Despite a physical and chaotic game, Finch acknowledged that Golden State’s defensive intensity made it difficult for the Timberwolves at times. “They made the game ugly. They did a great job of being super physical and trying to take it into the mud,” Finch noted. “We could certainly do things better and smarter, but I was proud of our guys because we got down in the mud with them.”
Finch also touched on the importance of Julius Randle’s playmaking, which has been instrumental in the Timberwolves’ success. “His playmaking has turned our season around,” Finch said. “It’s been everything for us.”
As for the team’s defensive strategy, Finch revealed that no significant adjustments were made at halftime, despite Golden State’s success with the three-ball. “We’ve got to be more aware,” Finch added. “We like to take away the three, but they made a couple late when we were guarding them.”
With the Timberwolves now leading the series 2-1, Finch’s team will look to build on their Game 3 success as they prepare for a pivotal Game 4 on Monday.
