Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns bounces back in Game 4 win over Memphis Grizzlies

MINNEAPOLIS — Coming off a lackluster outing in the Minnesota Timberwolves' Game 3 loss, Karl-Anthony Towns responded with a prolific performance in Minnesota's 119-118 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 on Saturday night. The best-of-seven series is now deadlocked at 2-2.

Towns, a three-time All-Star and the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA draft, struggled in the previous two games, both Minnesota losses. In Games 2 and 3, he racked up 10 personal fouls but made only seven field goals, as the Grizzlies threw multiple defenders at him in the half court.

«A bunch of rage,» Towns said of his mood coming into Game 4. «Trying to find ways to dominate regardless of what they throw [at me] — double, triple, quadruple, coach comes on the court and guards me as well — and find ways to put the ball in the bucket.»

Towns answered with 33 points and 14 rebounds, joining Kevin Garnett as the only Timberwolves players to record a 30-and-10 playoff game. One of the NBA's most versatile offensive big men, Towns showed off his full repertoire. He thrived in the pick-and-roll, drove an isolation scorer against Memphis' overmatched big defenders, and even came off screens as a long-distance shooter. He scored an efficient 1.43 points per possession.

«He was angry,» Minnesota coach Chris Finch said of Towns' mood before the game. «He was really good from the beginning, aggressive, putting pressure on them, forcing them to blow the whistle, get to the free throw line, things that he hadn't been doing a lot in the last couple of games.»

Towns made a living at the free throw line on Saturday, challenging the Grizzlies' defense en route to the basket. He sank 14 of his 17 attempts and attributed much of his overall success in Game 4 to his