There comes a point when Timberwolves guard Mike Conley believes his team simply stops thinking and shifts into a gear with a sole purpose: “We just do what is necessary at that moment.”

Minnesota entered that mode in the third quarter of its critical Game 3 victory.

The Lakers buried four triples over the final five and a half minutes of the frame, and yet Minnesota’s lead didn’t shift an inch in the aggregate. Because everything Los Angeles did via its shotmaking was offset by what the Wolves produced via hustle and grit.

Minnesota produced four buckets over a three-minute span near the end of the third quarter in a stretch that defined who this team is when it’s at its best.

Three minutes of Timberwolves, described in four plays:

No. 1: DiVincenzo’s tip in

Minnesota led 72-70 with just north of five minutes to play in the third quarter when Jaden McDaniels missed a turnaround, mid-range jumper. But Donte DiVincenzo, who struggled from the field Friday, soared in for a tip-in bucket.

Luka Doncic, who defended McDaniels well on the play, threw his hands in the air at the play’s conclusion.

No. 2: Ant’s steal and dunk

With the Wolves up 74-72, Anthony Edwards and McDaniels both missed 3-point tries on a Wolves possession, which seemingly ended with a Luka Doncic defensive rebound.

But rather than retreating on defense, Edwards snuck around the backside to poke the ball away from Doncic. It ricocheted back to the Wolves’ star guard, who first retreated to the corner before identifying an open path to the bucket.

He went at Doncic with a head of steam and finished a flush.

No. 3: Gobert’s steal to McDaniels’ finish

Doncic’s game-winning triple in last year’s West Finals lives forever in two places: social media and the nightmares of Wolves’ fans.

But Gobert exacted a smidge of revenge with Minnesota leading 77-75. He was again isolated against Doncic on the perimeter, and when Doncic went to gather the ball for a jumper, Gobert poked the ball away.

McDaniels scooped up the loose ball and raced down the floor, scoring a bucket while being fouled in transition.

No. 4: Alexander-Walker’s poke-away

Leading 80-78, Julius Randle’s 3-point attempt misfired and Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt scooped up the board.

But Nickeil Alexander-Walker pinned Vanderbilt to the baseline and poked the ball away and collected possession.

He delivered a shovel pass to Randle, who tallied the and-1 finish.

DiVincenzo said it was that stretch of plays that “changed the game” for Minnesota.

“Loose balls, just getting our hands on deflections, getting blocked shots, getting out in transition,” he said. “All those little plays that we’ve made throughout the course of the year for stints. It’s key for us in the playoffs. That’s what wins games, and that’s what won it for us (Friday). … Those hustle plays, those energy plays give us that edge and get us six, eight points. That’s the difference-maker.”

Conley described the plays as a combination of high IQ and effort. When they’re making those efforts and producing something from them, “I think that’s when we’re at our best.”

They’re plays of desperation, in all the best ways. The mere thought of losing drives the Wolves to a place of urgency that can often not be matched by the opponent over the course of a contest.

Then they play that way, they eventually will wear you down.

“Our team is built that way. It’s a 12-round fight with us every time. It’s not going to be easy,” Conley said. “We’re going to be physical. We’re going to throw a bunch of different lineups and a bunch of different bodies at you. That’s been an advantage for us all season long. Especially now in the playoffs, we want to try to just be the team that wants it just a little bit more on every possession. If we can do that, we can find ways to win.”

Related Articles

Meet the tattoo artists who have created a movement among Timberwolves fans

5 takeaways from Timberwolves all-important Game 3 win over Lakers

Dane Mizutani: Timberwolves got Jaden McDaniels. That’s a problem for the Lakers.

Mr. Clutch, after all? Anthony Edwards shines late as Timberwolves win Game 3

Jace Frederick: Chris Finch believes the NBA has lost the plot on playoff physicality

In the middle of a session this week, tattoo artist JC Stroebel stopped for a second to reflect on how he unknowingly started a movement among Timberwolves fans.

“All I did was tweet, and then over 500 people made it a big deal,” Stroebel said. “There were so many people that showed up, and I feel like that’s the story, right?”

That’s certainly where the story started roughly a year ago, when Stroebel fired off a tweet saying he would tattoo the words Naz Reid on anybody that wanted it. It almost immediately took on a life of its own among Timberwolves fans, and essentially overnight Stroebel and fellow local tattoo artist Jesse George found themselves booked solid.

Not that the lifelong Timberwolves fans were complaining. They were thrilled to play a small part in helping memorialize a deep playoff run that ended with the Timberwolves falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

Now, with the Timberwolves hosting the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, Stroebel and George are back at it again. They recently hosted an event at Beloved Studios in Roseville where they are both finishing up an apprenticeship.

Together, Stroebel and George came up with a variety of options for the occasion, from a legitimate portrait of Jaden McDaniels to a small illustration of an ant in honor of Anthony Edwards.

“We sat down and had a meeting like, ‘What would we want as fans ourselves?’ ” Stroebel said. “We’re going to have a new flash sheet every year with new tattoos, so it’ll be cool for people to be able to collect them.”

Though neither Stroebel nor George were sure how many people were going to show up at Beloved Studios, they were blown away by the response as Timberwolves fans packed the parking lot and lined up outside before the doors even opened.

“It was such a whirlwind for us last year, and we were kind of just going with it,” George said. “We actually had expectations this year, so we were a little bit nervous to see how it was all going to turn out.”

The first customer for Stroebel was Neesha Moore. She’s been a Timberwolves fan pretty much since she was born and takes a lot of pride in the collage on her upper thigh that includes the “Naz Reid” tattoo from last year.

“Just to be able to look down and know it’s a part of me is really cool,” Moore said. “Even if I’ve always known it’s a part of me, now everybody can see it.”

The first customer for George was Nolan Peterson. He has been a Timberwolves fan for as long as he can remember and has slowly been working on a leg sleeve ever since getting his “Naz Reid” tattoo last year.

“It’s a piece of art that brings me back to a memory,” Peterson said. “I’ll still be able to look back in like 10 years or 15 years and be like, ‘That was a fun time in my life.’ ”

That might be the coolest part about these tattoos. They basically freeze this moment in time for Timberwolves fans who have been waiting so long for their favorite team to rise to this level.

That helps explain why so many people have gravitated to Stroebel and George and their shared mission.

As the waiting room continued to fill up during the event at Beloved Studios, it was all hands on deck with a number of other artists helping Stroebel and George get the job done. They ended up doing 58 tattoos on Friday, and were on pace to do similar numbers on Saturday.

“I’m so freaking thankful that people showed up,” Stroebel said. “We had no clue what to expect. The most predominant feeling for me is gratitude. It’s an honor to be a part of.”

Related Articles

Three minutes of Timberwolves: The four scrappy plays that defined Minnesota’s Game 3 victory

5 takeaways from Timberwolves all-important Game 3 win over Lakers

Dane Mizutani: Timberwolves got Jaden McDaniels. That’s a problem for the Lakers.

Mr. Clutch, after all? Anthony Edwards shines late as Timberwolves win Game 3

Jace Frederick: Chris Finch believes the NBA has lost the plot on playoff physicality

The mystery of the backup quarterback appears to have finally been solved.

After carefully parsing through all of their options over the past month or so, the Vikings acquired Sam Howell on Saturday afternoon in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

Though no official announcement will be made at any point in the near future, it’s likely that the Vikings will move forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback and Howell as their backup quarterback.

It was a small price to pay for Howell as the Vikings only had to move back from No. 142 (fifth round) to No. 172 (fifth round) to get the deal done.

Related Articles

Vikings trade back with Texans, add Maryland receiver Tai Felton at No. 102

How the selflessness of Donovan Jackson won over the Vikings

Former Vikings star Adrian Peterson arrested on suspicion of DWI

How did the Vikings grade out? Experts weigh in on Donovan Jackson pick

Vikings stick and pick at No. 24, select Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb

As the days grow longer and the flowers begin to bloom, many of us feel the urge to open the windows, dust off forgotten corners, and breathe new life into our homes.

But what about our finances? Just like tidying up your living space, a thorough financial spring cleaning can eliminate inefficiencies, preserve your assets and align your money with your long-term goals.

Here’s a handy checklist to help you declutter your financial life and set yourself up for a more stable and successful future.

Digitize and organize your financial records

Before diving into budgets or investments, start by cleaning up the paperwork. Organized financial records save time, reduce stress and enhance security.

• Consolidate documents by gathering tax records, bank statements, credit reports, investment summaries, wills, insurance policies and loan documents. Eliminate outdated or duplicate paperwork that no longer serves a purpose.

• Go digital. Use secure cloud-based storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or encrypted USB drives. Make sure to enable multi-factor authentication for added protection.

• Establish a clear filing system, whether digital or physical, that categorizes your documents into banking, investments, taxes, legal matters and insurance.

• Set reminders for crucial deadlines — such as tax filing, insurance renewals and investment reviews — and back up your files regularly. A fireproof safe or a bank’s safe deposit box is a smart place to store key documents.

Streamline your budget

A budget is not a static plan — it should evolve with your goals and life changes.

• Reviewing your income and expenses. Compare last year’s spending patterns against your financial goals. Did you overspend in certain areas? Can you redirect funds to savings or investments?

• Trim the fat by canceling unused subscriptions and negotiating better deals on essentials like insurance or utilities. Also, leverage rewards programs and cashback offers wherever possible.

• Increase your savings and investments. If you can, aim to save at least 15% of your income. Automate transfers to your emergency fund, retirement accounts or brokerage accounts.

• If you’re carrying high-interest debt, explore refinancing or debt consolidation options. Use strategies like the avalanche (tackle highest interest first) or snowball method (smallest balance first) to speed up repayment.

• And don’t forget to adjust for inflation. Rising prices can sneakily derail your progress. Look for ways to reduce spending without sacrificing your goals. And regardless of your age, consider maintaining exposure to growth assets such as stocks.

Conduct an end-to-end financial review

A financial review is essential to ensure your strategy still fits your current life situation and the market environment.

• Check in on your investment portfolio. Is your asset allocation aligned with your risk tolerance and timeline? Rebalance if needed, and consider tax-loss harvesting to offset capital gains in taxable accounts.

• Pull your free annual credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and correct any errors. A strong credit score (750 or higher) opens doors to better interest rates and financial products.

• Optimize your taxes by reviewing your withholding, maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs or health savings accounts (HSAs), and exploring deductions or credits you may have missed.

• Revisit your estate planning documents. Make sure your will, power of attorney and trust documents are up to date — and confirm that beneficiary designations reflect your current wishes.

• If retirement is on the horizon (within 10 years), evaluate your readiness. Assess income sources, withdrawal strategies and the best time to claim Social Security.

Secure your financial information

With fraud and cybercrime on the rise, protecting your data is more important than ever.

• Strengthen your passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on all financial accounts. Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity by setting up alerts and reviewing statements regularly.

• If you’re not planning to open new lines of credit, consider freezing your credit with all three major bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — to block identity thieves.

• Be on guard for phishing scams. Never click on unknown links or respond to unverified messages claiming to be from your bank or insurer.

• Finally, review your insurance coverage. Make sure you’re adequately protected for home, auto, health, disability and long-term care. For broader protection, consider an umbrella policy.

Get in the habit

Spring cleaning your finances isn’t a one-and-done task — it’s an ongoing process that pays dividends in your future. By getting in the habit of organizing your records, updating your budget, reviewing your financial plan and securing your data, you’re investing in a more efficient, confident financial future.

Related Articles

Your Money: Simplifying your financial life

Your Money: The 60-year career: How to plan for a longer work life

Your Money: Does deregulation help or hurt investment outcomes?

Your Money: Financial planning tips for small-business owners 

Your Money: Five tough questions to ask before retirement

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb are financial advisers at Wealth Enhancement Group and co-hosts of “Your Money” on WCCO 830 AM on Sunday mornings. Email Bruce and Peg at yourmoney@wealthenhancement.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services are separate entities from LPL Financial.