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The Minnesota Timberwolves edged the Milwaukee Bucks 103–100 on December 21 at Target Center in a defensive battle that fell well short of the Vegas total of 226.5 points. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 24 points, while Donte DiVincenzo added 18, as Minnesota shot 42 percent from the field and made 14 three-pointers. The Bucks countered with Khris Portis Jr. scoring 24 points and Bobby Portis chipping in 16, but Milwaukee's 16 turnovers proved costly in a tight contest. Minnesota's defense clamped down decisively in the third quarter, outscoring Milwaukee 27–15 during that stretch after the Bucks had built a 60–48 halftime lead. The Timberwolves' 10.9-point defensive rating advantage (106.1 to 99.2) underscored their suffocating perimeter defense, limiting the Bucks to 13 three-pointers despite Milwaukee's 51-rebound advantage. Minnesota's fourth-quarter execution—scoring 28 points to Milwaukee's 25—sealed a crucial two-point victory that strengthens their Western Conference positioning.