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MINNEAPOLIS – Jimmy Butler may be waiting to be traded, but that did not stop the Minnesota All-Star from burying LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers under a barrage of 3-pointers on Monday.
Delivering its best game, butler scored 32 points and was a perfect 5-for-5 from behind the 3-point bow in the fourth quarter, including a 26-footer over Rajon Rondo's outstretched arms with Minnesota Timberwolves' 124-120 victory over the Lakers at the Target Center.
Despite demanding a trade, Butler has averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.3 blocks in six games, and he says the preseason will not stop the Timberwolves from playing together.
"It's basketball," Butler said when asked about hitting a big 3-pointer in the context of what he and the team have been through this season. "I do not think anything that has gone before we have anything to do with it.
"We're going out and playing together, play to win – with or without what is going on."
Lakers coach Luke Walton, after his team fell to 0-3 in these games, said: "Right now we're taking a couple lumps in meantime."
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Jimmy Butler hit five of Minnesota's eight-pointers in the fourth quarter with 32 points and help the Timberwolves hang on to beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 124-120 on Monday night.
The Jimmy Butler's All-Star Jimmy Butler, including the future first-round picks in their most recent offer, league sources told ESPN.
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Butler being excited by the Lakers and James being in the building. He finished 6-for-7 from behind the arc.
James missed his first five shots with 29 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Playing with the injured Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves (3-4) inched closer to .500 after opening the season by playing three of their first five on the road. It could have been a dysfunctional start for the Timberwolves, who were mired in controversy after the Butler trade demand dominated the headlines around the team.
After going 2-for-11 and scoring in Milwaukee on Friday, Butler rebounded with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks against the Lakers.
Minnesota head coach Tom Thibodeau liked the team effort he received, as Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks, and rookie Josh Okogie added 17 points and 3 steals.
"I think you have a mentality to understand the race of a season," said Thibodeau said of the Wolves' snapping a two-game losing streak and bouncing back from a 125-95 loss to the Bucks at home. "There are some ups and downs, and how do you deal with both." If you are going well, you are going to get well, you are usually going to get knocked down, and you also have to know how. There are important lessons to be learned.
The Timberwolves rose up behind Butler.
With the game tied 99-99 in the fourth, Butler hit four 3-point shots and found Towns for a triple to the Lakers down 10 with 4:56 left.
The Lakers cut the deficit to two, Butler responded with his 3-point dagger over Rondo.
"We came out to play some tonight basketball," Butler said of the Wolves. "We were playing fast, so we played with energy, so I guess their energy helped out.
"… I enjoy matchups against LeBron, James [Harden], KD [Kevin Durant], Stephen Curry, whoever it may be, "Butler added when asked if James brought out the best in him." "I just want to show that I can compete with the best of them."
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