Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves soared to a 3-0 lead in the first round series | Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Minnesota’s 50-28 rebounding advantage figured prominently in their ability to get more buckets tonight The Minnesota Timberwolves dominated the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of what is looking like a short series 126-109, with the outcome not doing justice to how lopsided this game was for the series leaders. Behind a 20+ rebounding advantage (which yielded more second chance points), alongside paint domination, and six players in double digits, the Wolves broke open a tight game in the third quarter to put the Suns in a hole they likely will not get out of. The Timberwolves were led by transcendant star Anthony Edwards (36 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) and double-doubles from their bigs Karl Anthony-Towns (18 points and 13 rebounds) and Rudy Gobert (19 points and 14 rebounds) in a victory that put the Suns on the ropes. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (16 points and 5 assists) and 6th Man of the Year Naz Reid (13 points) chipped in off the bench. Phoenix’s main three of Bradley Beal (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Kevin Durant (25 points and 5 assists), and Devin Booker (23 points and 8 assists) supplied 70% of the team’s scoring tonight with Eric Gordon’s 11 points being the only other contribution of note and Grayson Allen out. The first quarter ended up being the most competitive one tonight. Towns lit up the scoreboard both from distance and at the rim to get 10 early points. Edwards banked in an and-1 so impressive that Beal, the person that fouled him, helped pick him up out of respect. Once Gordon heated up for Phoenix, Durant also picked up some steam on the offensive end, Phoenix, with the benefit of frequent foul whistles against Minnesota, exited the closely contested period down two. Beal and Durant scored efficiently in the second quarter to help Phoenix keep pace with the Wolves. Edwards, after ceding the scoring load in opening frame to others, shouldered most of the playmaking load to close the half. An athletic reverse layup from Edwards stretched the Minessota lead to three briefly. The younger Wolves seemed to track down more 50/50 balls to their benefit. Mike Conley helped Minnesota out with a handful of points to extend their advantage. The Wolves went into the break up six. Minnesota continued to apply the pressure to the Suns at the start of the third. Jaden McDaniels picked up his fourth foul early. Towns hot shooting put Phoenix in a state of shock admist a 20-6 run, and the lower-seeded Suns could not find an equal answer to the Wolves’ firepower. Alexander-Walker and Reid were the happy recipients of several clean kickouts. By the time the Suns recovered from the beating, they headed to the fourth down 22. Observations The 4/5 high pick-and-roll between Gobert and Towns seems pointless unless merely as a diversion for the other swingmen. Having watched very few Wolves games this sesaon, it’s striking how quickly Edwards moves his feet and gets to anywhere he needs to on the floor. His cross court passes carry so much zip, which is something Devin Vassell can learn from. I decided to count how many times the person bringing up the ball for Phoenix took the shot for that same possession: 13 [ First quarter = five / Second Quarter = two / Third Quarter = one / Fourth Quarter = five]. Though the team moved the ball around more in the second half, they were already down enough to make all that movement moot. Among the things I thought I’d never see on a court, I’d include Gobert’s eurostep in the first quarter followed by his Duncan-esque banker in the second. Worst commercials of the playoffs: Wingstop’s “No Flex Zone”, Gatorade water (which is what the original product tasted like), and anything Buffalo Wild Wings put out. It’s pretty cool to see former Spurs bigs like Drew Eubanks carve out careers in the league. Once the Suns fade into obscurity as Durant and Beal age in dog years, that’s one Western Conference team San Antonio can pass in future seasons. In the hectic opening minutes, Towns scored eight of Minnesota’s first nine, while the Suns featured their three stars around the perimeter. After stealing a pass, Gobert executed a 7-step eurosomthing and somehow was not called for traveling. Towns’ 10th point put the Wolves up nine, but Gobert picked up his second foul halfway through the frame. Gordon was brought in by Phoenix and netted a handful of points immediately. Edwards made his own eight point burst. Eubanks, um, drew a second foul on Naz Reid. Minnesota left the quarter up by two. The teams began the second period at a more brisk pace. The margin between them stayed within two possessions over many minutes. Bol Bol slammed home a swooping transition dunk and my nieces shrieked “Just like Wemby!”; causing me to recoil in horror. Towns picked up a cheapie third foul, but the Wolves remained neck-and-neck with Phoenix. Mike Conley’s corner three increased the Minnesota lead, and their late run allowed them to go into the half up 59-53. Just like at the tipoff, Towns started Minnesota’s scoring in what would end up being a runaway third quarter. Towns’ straightaway three came with no defender in sight. Booker sought out his shot more, but the Wolves continued to match and surpass at the other end. Alexander-Walker’s trio of threes nudged the lead out to 19. A 36-20 Wolves quarter fronted by Alexander-Walker and Reid practically turned the fourth quarter into a formality. Phoenix’s best play came partway into the fourth with the team down 21; only for Edwards to soar down the lane for a layup. Both teams entered the foul bonus with eight minutes remaining, and the Suns found their shooting touch several quarters late. Game 4 of this series takes place in Phoenix on Sunday night at 8:30 PM CDT on TNT.