The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 109-107, at Moda Center on Tuesday night.

The Timberwolves (24-23) came into the contest with a multi-game advantage in the standings over the Trail Blazers (20-27), but it was Portland that looked much more in sync during an impressive first half they emerged from with a 63-55 lead. However, Minnesota helped to change the dynamic of the contest with a dominant third quarter they enjoyed a 29-19 advantage in, and they ultimately hung on by a thread thanks to a D'Angelo Russell bucket with 2.9 seconds remaining and a missed would-be game-winning three-point attempt by Anfernee Simons with under a second left.

Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 40 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Russell supplied 22 points, four assists and two rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns generated a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double that included two assists and four blocks. Jarred Vanderbilt posted 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block.

Jusuf Nurkic and Nassir Little co-led the Trail Blazers with 20 points apiece while pulling down 14 and eight rebounds, respectively. Simons totaled 17 points, seven assists and four rebounds. CJ McCollum compiled 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block.

The Timberwolves remain on the West Coast and face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, while the Trail Blazers remain home and host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.