Rudy Gobert's big night lifts Timberwolves past Hawks and into a first
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rudy Gobert had 25 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks to help the Minnesota Timberwolves defeat the Atlanta Hawks 109-106 on Friday night and move into a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference.
Minnesota is even with Denver and Oklahoma City atop the conference with one game to play. The Timberwolves hold head-to-head tiebreakers over both teams, but the Thunder would win a three-way tiebreaker for the top spot. So, a victory by Minnesota over Phoenix and a loss by either Denver or Oklahoma City would lock up the top seed for the Timberwolves.
“The only way you can get help is if you help yourself first,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “Then we’ll see what happens. Either way though, Game 82 and we’re playing for a chance to win the Western Conference – it’s been a heck of a regular season.”