The Minnesota Timberwolves came to into their home opener after losing to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night with a chip on the shoulder. One thing About this Timberwolves team is that they were always fight back no matter the situation. This is a young talented to group led by Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert. If the Timberwolves are going to win, it will need to start with those three in order to be successful this season.
Photo Credit: (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Tonight the Minnesota Timberwolves went toe to toe with the Miami Heat who were playing without Jimmy Butler. With no Jimmy Butler in the lineup, the Minnesota Timberwolves had to focus on a heavy dose of Tyler, Herro and Bam Adebayo. The game was back-and-forth between both teams as Bam was able to get his offense going in the first half. Tyler Herro was able to get a lot of good looks in the first half as well as the Heat we’re able to keep it close.
The defense of the Timberwolves made it tough on Miami Heat when it came to the second half. All the easy back door cuts and wide-open jumpers that Miami Heat got in the first half were no longer available. The perimeter defense from Anthony Edwards, Naz Reid and the interior defense from Karl-Anthony Towns/Rudy Gobert was too much. When the Minnesota Timberwolves play defense like they did tonight they’re a tough team to beat. Tyler Herro finished with 22 points and Bam Adebayo finished with 19 points on the night.
Both weren’t as effective as they were in the 1st half and struggled late in this one. It could be fatigue from playing a back to back and it could be extended minutes as to why they struggled. But to be honest, the Timberwolves defense was swarming and they didn’t look back once they got a hold of the lead.
tonight was the night that Naz Reid came in and put on a show. He finished with the most points in Minnesota Timberwolves history on a home opener from reserve player with 25 points. It didn’t matter what he was doing. Tonight was just his night he scored inside and outside with ease. Naz Reid is one of the best players in the NBA when it comes to exploiting the mismatches. You could tell the Minnesota Timberwolves trust them, and they want to continue to use them as he looks like the early favorite for the Sixth Man of the Year in the NBA. Naz has been an ultimate teammate and a fan favorite in Minnesota. In his post game, he raved about the support from the fans and how he really appreciates them in the way that he plays you can tell that he does it for the fans and his teammates.
Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns both had dominate nights inside the paint as they were able to both get in double digit rebounds in back to back games. When both of them dominate the paint like they have so far in early season is going to be tough to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves. The interior defense is matching the perimeter defense, as both are being displayed at a high-level with an elite offense as well. Rudy Gobert said it best post game that this Timberwolves team could be the best defensive team in the NBA. Only time will tell, but from the display of defense they put on tonight in the second half against the Miami Heat nothing should be able to get in the way.
Anthony Edwards struggled in this one but that doesn’t mean you can’t bounce back Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets the defending champions. Edwards was able to get his offense going in that fourth quarter, and that should roll over to the game on Wednesday. The only thing stopping Anthony Edwards is Anthony Edwards. He’s easily a top 10 player in the NBA and he will bounce back just like the All-Star that he is. Look for Anthony hours to be super aggressive on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets as he tries to get the Timberwolves to (2-1) on the season.
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