But unfortunately, while Toppin had spent a little time faking Jaden out, Naz Reid had managed to recover in time on the other side.
So in the end, with Reid contesting him, Toppin's layup failed to go in.
The ball bounced off the rim and was collected by Edwards.
The Timberwolves immediately pushed the counterattack again.
Edwards quickly dribbled across midcourt, then decisively passed to Oladipo in the weak-side corner.
Oladipo caught the ball and took a three-point shot.
Dang!!
With Grant rushing out to contest, the ball bounced off the rim.
Chen Xi collected the high, long rebound.
At that point, Chen decisively slowed things down and took control of the game's tempo.
Dribbling with one hand, he signaled for his teammates to take their positions one by one, in no hurry to launch another attack.
After two or three consecutive possessions of chaotic play, both teams looked ready to devolve into a sloppy back-and-forth. Chen figured it was necessary to rein in the pace.
That was a basic quality of an excellent playmaker.
Dribbling at a measured pace to the top of the key, Chen Xi didn't launch another isolation play. Instead, he waved over Hartenstein to set a pick.
Using the screen to shake Jaden, he accelerated and drove into the paint.
On the move, he faked a pass to Hartenstein, easily fooled Reid, then finished calmly with a simple underhand layup.
The lead was back to four.
Possession also returned to Minnesota.
Edwards brought the ball up from the backcourt, crossed midcourt, and faced Chen Xi's defense at the top of the key.
Very sensibly, he dribbled in place and waited for a screen to come up. Then he used Reid's pick-and-roll to get Toppin switched onto him before driving with his face to the