It starts very straight for the Wolves, with Rudy Gobert putting the cover back on with his left hand, for the big tap dunk! But it is the Blazers, with their odds and ends squad, who are off to the best start. Former Raptors Dalano Banton stood out with 7 points, while Rayan Rupert infiltrated the paint for a left-handed layup. It takes a good performance from Naz Reid, author of 9 points in 6 minutes (3/3 away) for Minny to win the first quarter (28-26).
Anfernee Simons keeps his team afloat but the Wolves start to create a gap in the second quarter. Well served by the last arrival, Monte Morris, Gobert slams a big two-handed dunk, soon imitated by Jaden McDaniels in traffic. Its two All-Stars very discreet, Minnesota leads without forcing its talent too much at the break (55-48), with Gobert top scorer of his team at 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Rayan Rupert shows up
Back with their usual five major in the third quarter, the Wolves are once again in the lead. McDaniels receives a caviar from Conley in the backdoor for the dunk and the veteran leader even increases the gap to ten for the first time in the match. But Portland does not give up, with Simons and Reath mainly, but also Rupert who plants a 3-pointer on KAT's nose. Rudy Gobert goes with a huge dunk, plus the foul, and Minny keeps the advantage (88-82).
Definitely served as desired, Gobert enjoys himself and slams two more dunks at the start of the last quarter. With a long shot from Reid, the gap swells to +15. But, once again, the Blazers do not give up, like Rupert who takes two more shots from distance, or Simons who is going to land a dunk with his left hand on Gobert! Portland manages to reduce the distance, but it is only aesthetic (119-114). Despite Simons' score of 34 points and 14 assists, the Blazers are indeed being swept over the season by the Wolves…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Wolves regain victory. For only the third time in their season, the Wolves suffered two consecutive losses. But, by happy coincidence of the calendar, for their fifth game in seven days, and the last in a series of 7 home games, the Wolves hosted the Blazers. A poorly ranked team that Minnesota dominated, without ever really making a definitive difference. No matter, Minny regains first place in the Western Conference, especially after the Thunder's loss in LA.
– Anthony Edwards comes off the bench. Not there at the time of the interval, Edwards was simply replaced by Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the major five, not without a warning (for delay) for the Wolves. A little less used than usual, and obviously a little disturbed, the All-Star guard of the Wolves delivered an average copy with 13 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds, after having also been hit in the elbow in the third quarter. “I didn’t see the time passing”will explain Ant afterwards, he who often warms up at his own pace with his headphones on.
– Anfernee Simons, the other Ant. Unlike the Wolves who were on their worst run of the season with two defeats in a row, the Blazers were on their best run, with two wins in a row (against Memphis)! And their leader, Simons, wanted to ride this wave last night, achieving a second outing in a row with 30 points or more. With 34 points and 14 assists, “Ant” made his mark, even more so with his left-handed dunk on Gobert! Incidentally, he surpasses Damon Stoudamire in the number of 3-point shots made in his career for 6th place in Blazers history (at only 24 years old)!
– Nice duel of Frenchies. In recent games, Gobert found that he was not aggressive enough offensively. Last night, the French pivot corrected his situation and finished with a new double-double, his 43rd of the season with 25 points and 16 rebounds, including a bunch of big dunks! Opposite, Rayan Rupert also had a good game, quite simply his season record, with 13 points and 6 rebounds (5/7 on shots including 3/3 from distance).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
