With the Timberwolves in a tie game in the final minute and on the verge of another blown late lead in the final frame, Minnesota decided to put together one of its better possessions of Saturday’s bout with the Clippers.

Naz Reid tapped out an offensive rebound to Anthony Edwards, who swung the ball to Mike Conley. Conley drove, kicked back to Edwards, who hit Reid in the corner.

Reid buried the triple. Then he smiled.

Minnesota rallied to beat rallied to beat Los Angeles 109-106 on Saturday at Target Center.

The Wolves need more of that kind of play — and Reid’s smile.

Neither was anywhere to be found in the first three quarters Saturday. The opening 36 minutes brought as much joy as a root canal.

Then came another awe-inspiring start to the final frame.

Over the first 5 minutes, 31 seconds of the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves’ offense:

-scored 23 points

-shot 6 for 7 from the field

-shot 4 for 5 from 3-point range

-assisted on five of its six makes

That beautiful brand of basketball put Minnesota in front, and the Wolves held on down the stretch.

The offense dried up from there, but the small fragment of the contest not only was enough of a buoy but also a reminder of what the Wolves can do when they play basketball with purpose.

That’s when Reid and Jaden McDaniels get rolling. That’s when Minnesota is turning defense into offense. That’s when fun was had on the floor.

It’s the type of basketball that’s repeatable and also enjoyable. And when you like what you’re doing, you’re more likely to keep doing it with energy and effort.

Reid had 19 points and eight rebounds in the win over the Clippers. McDaniels had 27, including 12 in the third quarter when Minnesota needed a spark.

Minnesota shot 44% from distance.

Julius Randle added 24 points on a slow night from Anthony Edwards, who shot 3 for 11 from the field. But Edwards made the right play on the key offensive possession.

James Harden had a look at a tying triple in the closing seconds, but it bounced off the iron. Harden led the Clippers with 34 points and six assists.

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