“They are playing well. They are the defending champions. We didn't expect it to be easy. » Anthony Edwards did not think that taking out the Nuggets would be an easy thing, but after two authoritarian victories in Denver, he probably did not imagine that the Wolves were going to take a slap at home in this Game 3.
This is Minnesota's first defeat in the playoffs, after six victories in a row, and with a 27-point difference, it is very severe and marked.
“It’s a good lesson in humility, to understand that it won’t be easy,” notes Karl-Anthony Towns. “It's not because we were lucky enough to win six matches in a row that the seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth will end with the same result. »
From there to losing like this, there's a world away, and isn't that problematic? Should we be worried? Basically, weren't the Wolves too confident?
“We will be better”, warns Chris Finch. “We talked all season about being a mature team. And these teams must manage success. There were three days between the two matches. How to prepare them? Coming home, there are distractions, you have to concentrate. I think we had good training, but it didn't translate during the match. »
Anthony Edwards takes this setback for himself
We did not recognize the stifling defense of the first two matches – a Jaden McDaniels weighed down by fouls did not help – and the attack did not follow either, with 14 lost balls and a “KAT” at 14 points with only 7 shots attempted, Anthony Edwards with only 19 units (and five wasted possessions).
“I take responsibility for this defeat. I had no energy. I can't afford that for my team. I let down the team, the coaches, the fans. Sunday I will be ready »assumes the back of the Wolves.
For Chris Finch, the fouls called, particularly those on Jaden McDaniels, may have had a negative impact on the Wolves, who failed to impose their physical dimension and their intensity because of the refereeing decisions. However, Minnesota could have found other solutions for Mike Conley.
“We have to do better to understand how the match is whistled. The last match was physical and we could be. It benefited us,” recalls the playmaker. “There the players weren't allowed to be that physical. But we don't blame the referees, nor do we believe that that's why we lost. »
