Last year, Anthony Edwards had changed category after an exceptional first round against the Nuggets. Last night, he validated his superstar status with 33 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and a crazy 3rd quarter for a xxx – xxx victory for the Wolves in this first round.
Thanks to a Kevin Durant (31 points, 11 of 17 shots) who was as easy as he was effective, the Suns had the best start. Opposite, the Wolves insist on their interiors facing a “small ball”. Jusuf Nurkic is dominated, and Karl-Anthony Towns finds Rudy Gobert in the center. The Frenchman hurts with his activity and his defense of the circle (11-11). But Phoenix can count on Devin Booker to respond, and give a five-point lead (20-15). We go blow for blow, and it's Royce O'Neale, at the buzzer, who gives the Suns a small advantage (28-27).
The entries of Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker bring a real plus, and the Suns lack solutions. Especially inside where the Towns-Gobert duo continues their work. Almost systematically, Towns plays his defender with his back to the basket and the Suns' “small ball” is in difficulty. The offensive rebounds multiply, and when Drew Eubanks covers Anthony Edwards, Towns is there to get back in, in force (46-39). Little by little, Phoenix cracks, and Alexander-Walker offers himself a coast-to-coast to give him a 12-point lead (59-47). At the break, Minnesota leads 61-51, and one stat makes the difference: 16 to 2 on baskets after an offensive rebound!
The Edwards show!
Returning from the locker room, the Suns disrupt the Wolves with zone passes. On the other side of the field, Bradley Beal concluded a 6-0 to bring Phoenix back to four points (71-67). Chris Finch takes a timeout, and his players get angry. Especially Anthony Edwards. The All-Star fullback gets the better of all defenders, and his technique is impressive. There is this fadeaway with the board, then this Kobesque “move” to eliminate Devin Booker, and finally this 3-pointer on the nose of Kevin Durant. The Suns winger smiles as Edwards harangues him and hits his chest. This is the image of the evening. Especially since Edwards scored 18 points in the quarter to give a 20-point lead (92-72)!
The Suns are KO, and the Wolves insist with Naz Reid finishing or passing, and Edwards who remains levitating. His 3-pointer from 9 meters gives a 25-point lead (105-80) six minutes from the end. The Suns try one last stand but Edwards, once again, sends them to the ground definitively with a dunk less than four minutes from the end, after a ball stolen by Rudy Gobert. It's the final blow and the Wolves win 120-95 after a quick garbage time.
What you must remember
– Kyle Anderson’s injury. Not very lucky, the former Wolve winger injured his hip in the first half. At the break, the medical staff announced that he was not able to return to the game. On the Suns side, Grayson Allen left his teammates after a sprained ankle.
– Rudy Gobert confident. Author of a big “double-double” (14 points, 16 rebounds), Rudy Gobert ate Jusuf Nurkic, and we will particularly remember this move in the 3rd quarter when he launched into a “spin move” concluded with a basket with the board at 4 meters. With the added fault!
– Tribute to Kevin Garnett. It's not tomorrow that we'll see Kevin Garnett at the Target Center since he's angry with the owner. But we can count on Anthony Edwards to pay tribute to him with a small strap on the middle finger of his left hand, marked with the number 21.
