“ There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Minnesota. I wouldn't sell the team either. » Ironic, Mike Malone knows how to compliment while winking at the news of Wolves, which ultimately will not change hands.
Last night, his Nuggets were largely dominated by the representatives of Minnesota, a few days after having already been beaten by the Suns, still at home. Jamal Murray was still absent, which had the gift of ” annoy » the competitor that is Anthony Edwardswhile Nikola Jokic played with a sore wrist.
“ I was surprised he played tonight, to be quite honest. His wrist has given him a lot of problems, and Nikola is a guy who plays through a lot of things that most others wouldn't put up with », remarks his coach.
As a result, his star player still scored a lot (32 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists), but was less effective than usual (11/24 on shots, 4 lost balls). The fault of the Wolves' well-established defense, with Rudy Gobert author in particular of a counter authoritarian over the Serb, considered the “ best player in the world » by Edwards.
By limiting the locals to 17 points in the second quarter, the visitors were already 19 points ahead at the break (43-62). A significant gap that the Nuggets will not be able to fill. Obviously at the end of such a victory, the 4th in a row, the waves are positive on the Wolves side.
The Wolves continue to advance without “KAT”
“ It's a team that personally inspired me a lot, with what they did last year. I have a lot of respect for this training and what it accomplished. But we know that this year we are a more mature team than last year and we have great confidence in our ability to beat anyone, anywhere. And today was a very, very good test », appreciates Rudy Gobert (21 points on 7/8 shots but 7/15 shots, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks).
Chris Finch he sees a Wolves team which does ” proof of great resilience. We showed great determination throughout the season. Our goal remains to play our best basketball before the playoffs. If it allows us to finish first, second or third, it doesn't matter, that's it. But we have a lot of important matches coming up against teams who are playing big. »
Like the upcoming reception of the Rockets, then trips to the Suns, the Lakers and again to Denver. In the meantime, the Wolves coach also speaks of a “ test », succeeded with the Nuggets, which his team needed in the home stretch.
“ We are missing our best player. So we're not yet where we want to be “, however, nuance Anthony Edwards, speaking of Karl-Anthony Towns. In his absence, the Wolves have an impeccable record of 9 wins and 3 losses. And still occupy this first place in the West, fighting with the Thunder and the Nuggets. Author of 25 points (8/19 on shots including 0/8 from distance) last night, Edwards recalls that he wants “ simply win. If (the first place) comes with it, it's cool “.
| Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Bp | Int | Ct | Party | Pts |
| Anthony Edwards | 69 | 35.2 | 46.4 | 37.3 | 82.7 | 0.6 | 4.9 | 5.5 | 5.2 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 26.2 |
| Karl Anthony Towns | 60 | 32.8 | 50.6 | 42.3 | 87.4 | 1.5 | 6.9 | 8.4 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 22.1 |
| Rudy Gobert | 66 | 34.0 | 65.0 | 0.0 | 64.8 | 3.7 | 9.2 | 12.9 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 13.6 |
| Naz Reid | 71 | 23.7 | 48.5 | 41.4 | 76.0 | 1.0 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 13.2 |
| Mike Conley | 67 | 28.9 | 44.7 | 42.4 | 89.9 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 6.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 11.0 |
| Jaden Mcdaniels | 62 | 29.3 | 49.1 | 35.1 | 70.6 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 10.7 |
| Nickeil Alexander-walker | 72 | 23.7 | 43.4 | 38.3 | 78.6 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 7.7 |
| Kyle Anderson | 69 | 22.9 | 47.1 | 22.5 | 71.4 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 6.6 |
| Monte Morris | 17 | 15.9 | 40.2 | 40.5 | 63.6 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 5.2 |
| Shake Milton | 38 | 12.9 | 40.0 | 26.4 | 81.8 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 4.7 |
| Troy Brown, Jr. | 37 | 11.1 | 44.1 | 36.9 | 86.4 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 4.2 |
| Luka Garza | 19 | 5.2 | 43.9 | 31.0 | 72.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 3.8 |
| Tj Warren | 8 | 13.2 | 38.2 | 18.2 | 50.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 3.6 |
| Jordan McLaughlin | 46 | 10.4 | 47.0 | 49.3 | 66.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 3.3 |
| Daishen Nix | 12 | 3.3 | 40.0 | 35.7 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.8 |
| Josh Minott | 25 | 2.8 | 44.4 | 25.0 | 85.7 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.5 |
| Leonard Miller | 10 | 3.2 | 63.6 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.5 |
| Wendell Moore, Jr. | 18 | 2.9 | 45.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 |
| Justin Jackson | 2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
