Deadspin: LaMelo Ball leads Timberwolves past struggling Bucks in Minneapolis

Ball powers Minnesota’s offense

The Timberwolves built an 11-point lead in the first four-plus minutes, with Ball’s 3-pointer making the score 15-4. Minnesota’s advantage reached 13 late in the opening quarter before Brayden Burries cut it to 29-18 with a layup.

Bucks rally before halftime

Milwaukee outscored Minnesota 29-19 in the second quarter to trail by one at halftime. The Bucks opened the period with a 10-2 run that included consecutive 3-pointers from AJ Green, a Ryan Rollins layup and a Burries floating jump shot.

Herro led Milwaukee with 21 points. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 points and eight rebounds, while Green and Myles Turner scored 13 points each. Burries recorded nine points and nine rebounds but made four of 15 field-goal attempts.

Fourth-quarter run seals win

Minnesota outscored Milwaukee 32-24 in the final quarter. The Timberwolves began the period with an 11-3 burst, turning a four-point lead into a 12-point advantage. Jaden McDaniels scored six points during the run, and Jaylen Clark added a 3-pointer. Joan Beringer contributed a putback dunk as Minnesota pulled away.

Minnesota missing three players

Terrence Shannon Jr. missed the game with a left hip contusion. He joined Anthony Edwards, listed with a right knee issue, and Donte DiVincenzo, listed with a right Achilles tendon issue, on the inactive list. Nate Ament, like Burries a Bucks first-round pick in this year’s NBA draft, scored four points off the bench.