Timberwolves will need repeat performances from D'Angelo Russell, defense in playoffs

D’Angelo Russell of the Wolves and Reggie Jackson of the Clippers battled for a loose ball on Tuesday.With less than five minutes remaining and the Timberwolves down 95-94, D'Angelo Russell got the ball from Malik Beasley and headed down the right side of the court.

Russell seemed to have his mind made up — he was going to shoot a pull-up three. The point guard stopped a step beyond the three-point line on the right wing, gave himself enough room to shoot over Marcus Morris Sr. and drained the shot to give the Wolves a lead they would not relinquish in the 109-104 victory over the Clippers.

It's a shot Russell, who scored 29 on Tuesday, takes a decent amount but doesn't always make. He made…