Disappointing in Minnesota’s loss to the Spurs on Monday, Anthony Edwards put the dots on i early in the game. He scored 16 points in the first quarter, including 5 award-winning shots to help his team set a new franchise record with 10 3-point shots over the period (39-28). Overwhelmed, the defense of San Antonin, deprived of Devin Vassell and Josh Primo, continues to take on water. Karl-Anthony Towns and Russell Edwards take over from Edwards and Wolves return to the locker room at +15 (68-53).
Like Monday, the Spurs returned to the game in the third quarter. In the wake of Keldon Johnson’s 14 points, San Antonio swoops down on their opponent but fails five lengths (80-75). Jaylen Nowell’s entry then reverses the trend. His energy wakes up Wolves and Anthony Edwards, resumes his work, with ten points in the last quarter to validate the deserved victory of his team.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Wolves find their address. Since the start of the season, Anthony Edwards’ teammates were in the Top 3 of the least skilful teams by far with a poor 28% success rate. Tonight, they scored more 3-pointers (10) in the first quarter than their average per game (9). This insolent address continued throughout the meeting. They finished with 20 successes from distance, including 14 for the trio Edwards – Towns – McDaniel, at almost 60%.
– Two selfless teams. If the two defenses did not shine, it is also thanks to the attractive play developed by the two teams. We know how much Gregg Popovich loves to see the ball play, but Chris Finch comes from the same school. Wolves finished the game with 37 assists, Spurs in them delivered 34! In particular, we are starting to see the development of a good chemistry between Rudy Gobert and his new teammates, in particular Towns and Russell.
– Spurs lock the rebound. Rudy Gobert had made his presence felt near the circle in his team’s first four games, but the Texans managed to subdue him by teaching their opponent a lesson in late screens. The Frenchman certainly finished as his team’s best rebounder (9), but he didn’t take any offensive rebounds. Worse, none of his teammates could prevent a zero point in this category. San Antonio also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and scored 15 second-chance points. This is also what allowed them to come back on the heels of their opponent. Rebounding was one of Minnesota’s Achilles’ heels last season.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Anthony Edwards. The Wolves star set the tone, scoring 16 of his 34 points in the first quarter. He finished the game 7 out of 12 from afar and delivered 9 assists.
✅ Jaden McDaniel – Jaylen Nowell. The two exteriors were also essential in the victory of their team. They each reached the 20-point mark to repel the onslaught of San Antonio.
✅Keldon Johnson. Spurs’ best player since the start of the season, Johnson has once again responded. He scored 27 points, 5/10 from afar, to give his team a chance in the second half.
⛔ Tre Jones. The Spurs leader lacked skill (3 out of 12) and did not know how to influence the meeting.
THE FOLLOWING
Minnesota : The Wolves stay at home and will face the Lakers on the night of Friday to Saturday.
San Antonio: The Spurs receive the Bulls on the night of Friday to Saturday.
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