Facing playoff sweep, Timberwolves fend off Dallas Mavericks to force Western Conference finals back to Minnesota

(CNN) —& With their playoff elimination on the line, the Minnesota Timberwolves put in a gutsy performance to fend off the Dallas Mavericks 105-100 on Tuesday and force a Game 5 in the Western Conference& finals. Having lost the opening three& games& of the best-of-seven series, the Timberwolves faced the proposition of being swept by the Mavericks. But Minnesota managed to keep the series alive, largely thanks to Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns who scored 29 and 25 points respectively. Edwards also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out nine assists, while 20 of Towns’ points came in the second half as the Timberwolves earned a courageous victory. “Being aggressive,” Towns told reporters when asked what the key to the victory was.“Ain’t no time to have any doubts in your mind, especially at this time, it’s Game 4, down 3-0. Ain’t no time to have any doubts.” Towns’ performance was made even more impressive given the early foul trouble he found himself in. He picked up his fifth foul midway through the third quarter but continued to play with force and lead his team’s offensive output. The 28-year-old hit a three-pointer with 5:41 remaining to put the Timberwolves ahead and they...