Trail Blazers 85, Timberwolves 77
MINNEAPOLIS — Steve Smith got mad, then he kept the Minnesota Timberwolves from getting even.
Smith hit a key 3-pointer minutes after drawing a technical for tangling with Anthony Peeler, and the Portland Trail Blazers went on to eliminate the Wolves from the NBA playoffs with an 85-77 victory Tuesday night.
The Blazers won the best-of-five series 3-1 and advanced to face the Utah-Seattle winner. The Jazz lead that series 2-1 with Game 4 Wednesday night in Seattle.
Minnesota failed to reach the second round for the fourth straight season.
Smith and Peeler confronted each other with 5:07 left and the Wolves clinging to a 73-72 lead. Smith fell down after taking a long jumper, and Peeler walked over him. The two jawed at each other and drew double-technical fouls.
A minute later, Smith was called for a foul on Peeler, and Smith stared him down again.
The Blazers trailed 75-74 before Smith's 3-pointer with 3:45 left, and the Wolves never regained the lead.
Smith finished with 14 points, one fewer than Rasheed Wallace and Arvydas Sabonis.
Kevin Garnett nearly recorded his third triple-double of the series for Minnesota, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
After Brian Grant's basket gave Portland a 79-75 lead, Terrell Brandon's layup made it 79-77 with just under a minute left.
Wallace banked in a jumper from the top of the circle with 32 seconds left, barely beating the buzzer and giving Portland a four-point lead. His two free throws 12 seconds later iced it.
Greg Anthony capped the scoring with a pair of free throws that provided the final margin.