LOS Angeles (AP) – Anthony Edwards was not surprised at all when the Minnesota Timberwolves showed enough talent and conviviality to make the beginnings in eliminatory series of Luka Doncic with the routed Lakers for visitors.
Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points, Naz Reid added 23 with six 3 points, and the Timberwolves overcome the effort of 37 points of Donic for a 117-95 victory on Saturday evening.
Edwards collected 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds at the opening of the first round series for the sixth seeded Wolves, who won 18 of their last 22 games.
“I had a large group of guys,” said Edwards. “But it was not tonight. I learned that in the training camp. It takes us a minute to manage us as a new team. It just took us a minute to understand ourselves, and I have the impression that now we are just going.”
The Timberwolves resisted the first quarter of Donchers in 16 points in front of a roaring crowd from Los Angeles before taking control with a second quarter of 38-20.
They poured it after half time too. Julius Randle and Edwards struck four 3 points each while the Timberwolves made a record franchise in the 21 3 -point playoff series on 42 attempts – with many of these undoubtedly defender blows.
“It means match 1,” said Minnesota coach Chris Finch. “We know that it will be a long series. We do not assume that it will be this type of game in match 2. It will be a completely different game. We have a lot. Lots of meat on the bone there. Many things. I know we can do better.”
LeBron James collected 19 points to start his 18th NBA qualifying series, but the third seeded Lakers were overwhelmed by the balance of Wolves shots and qualifying series.
“This Minnesota team, it will be physical,” said James. “This is what they bring to the table. We needed a match … (to) understand this. They took the advantage at home tonight, but we have to control the controllables, and if we do it, we will have a much better chance of winning than this evening.”
While Los Angeles is Always looking for chemistry After Acquire Donic two months agoMinnesota is impatient to improve last season’s race at the Western Conference final.
Match 2 of the best seven series is Tuesday evening in Los Angeles.
One day after The Dallas Mavericks season ended In the game tournament, Doncic produced the 11th highest qualifier match in his career – and it was not enough, thanks to the prolific team effort of Timberwolves.
“I think the first quarter, we played the way we play,” said Doncic. “I think we played physically. Everyone was locked up, then we just dropped the rope. So we have to be much more physical. ”
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