Anthony Edwards‘ his decision-making is as precise as his shot-making.
Once he drew a crowd, he made it through. When he’s open, he shoots – and often swings his arms.
Edwards scored a playoff career high – and postseason franchise record – 43 points, Naz Reid had 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Minnesota Timberwolves defeat defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets 106-99 in Game 1 of their second-round series on Saturday night.
Edwards cannot be prevented in the first half, scoring 25 points, and Reid took over in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Town had 20 points despite facing a foul situation. The Timberwolves shot 71.1% from the field in the second half.
“Team, we trust each other,” Edwards said, who finished 17 of 29 in posting his third career playoff game of 40 points or more. “It doesn’t matter who takes the shot.”
It’s all part of Edwards’ evolution on the court.
“I’m proud of the way he embraced the level of growth it took to get to where he is,” said Conley, who finished with 14 points and 10 assists. “It’s not easy for a 22- or 23-year-old to adjust so quickly.”
“Twenty-two,” Edwards interjected cheerfully.
Game 2 is Monday night in Denver.
Three days after undergoing knee surgery, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch sits on the bench in the second row, next to the scorer’s table and behind assistant coach Micah Nori, who directs, moves and transitions. Finch tore the patellar tendon in his right knee last week as the Wolves point guard Mike Conley collided with him late in Minnesota’s Round 1 game at Phoenix.
“All the plays we scored on were mine and the plays we didn’t make were his,” Nori said. “(Finch) was great. He said, ‘We don’t want to make it complicated,’ that’s the term he used. We did a great job of it.”
Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Denver, but also had seven turnovers. Jamal Murray scored 17 points after being held scoreless in the first half. Murray, the Nuggets’ hero in Round 1 whose pair of game-winners helped Denver eliminate the Lakers in five games, finished 6 of 14 on the floor.
“We need to do a better job of making them take tough shots, maybe make more passes,” Jokic said.
Tied at 84, the Timberwolves went on an 18-7 run to open the scoring. Reid had 10 straight points for the Timberwolves at one point in a key period. Reid is the beneficiary of the Nuggets ensuring that Edwards is constantly protected.
“When (Edwards) gets the three, he always makes the right play,” Reid said. “I’ve seen him grow from Day One to where he is now – a superstar becoming a superstar, if not now.”
Last year, the Wolves were a difficult opponent in round 1 against Denver despite not having Reid (broken wrist) and Jaden McDaniels (broken hand) and Towns’ severe calf strain cost him 52 games. This time, no Timberwolves players were listed on the injury report.
“Playing against the best players in the world is always exciting” Edwards he said about facing Jokic. “Playing against the best team in the world is always interesting.”
In addition to being healthier, the Timberwolves are playing a lot better thanks to the significant improvement in Edwards’ game, Denver coach Michael Malone suggested.
“There are no weaknesses in his game,” Malone said. “And it’s going to be a big challenge trying to slow him down.”
Especially when he has a lot of help.
“Naz Reid got the start,” Malone said. Karl-Anthony Towns started. Mike Conley started – where Anthony Edwards did all day in that first half.” “But in the second half I felt there wasn’t nearly enough discipline and physicality and they were able to achieve whatever they wanted.”
Associated Press reports.
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Anthony Edwards
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