From Minnesota Timberwolves On SI · · 3m
Timberwolves' Opening Night Strength and Weakness Confirmed
Timberwolves' backcourt scoring and frontcourt defense set opening night record against Heat.
In brief
Timberwolves' backcourt scoring and frontcourt defense set opening night record against Heat. Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards scored 45 points and LaMelo Ball added five three-pointers in a 131-point win over Miami Heat, confirming their biggest strength and weakness. Originally reported by Minnesota…
Opening Night Start
The regular season is finally here, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are off to an outstanding start, rolling through Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat down on South Beach opening night.
Biggest Positive on Display
The Timberwolves' new-look backcourt looked sensational next to each other against the Heat, with LaMelo Ball in complete control of the offense while relieving defensive pressure on Anthony Edwards.
Anthony Edwards' Scoring Surge
Edwards torched the Heat for 45 points, just five points shy of the opening night record set by Kyrie Irving in a loss to the Timberwolves back in 2019.
Three-Point Duo Strength
Within the scoring flurry, Edwards drained nine three-pointers, with Ball adding five of his own, making the shooting duo the team's greatest strength this season.
Edwards' Shooting History
Edwards has been one of the league's best shooters for many years running, including leading the NBA in three-pointers made two seasons ago.
Defensive Impact
Edwards and Ball also make things easier for McDaniels, who is set to face the worst defender in an opponent's starting lineup as they try to slow down the Wolves' backcourt.
Heat's Defensive Challenge
The Heat do not project to be a bad defensive team, with Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo forming a formidable defensive pairing down low and Davion Mitchell one of the best guard defenders in the NBA.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's Performance
Antetokounmpo finished with 35 points on 11-19 shooting from the field, while getting to the line 14 times, making nine of those free throws.
Frontcourt Weakness Tested
The immediate question for the Timberwolves is how they would match up against bigger and more physical offensive players, with Antetokounmpo driving through the Wolves' defense over and over.
Adebayo Limited
The Wolves also did really well to limit Adebayo, who scored only 15 points, with Adebayo driving past Joan Beringer a few times for points at the rim but having little offensive production when guarded…
Season Impact
In the end, the Timberwolves had far more answers to slow down Antetokounmpo and Adebayo than the Heat had for Ball and Edwards, which led to the lopsided score.
Championship Potential
If that holds true all season, the Wolves are in for a spectacular season, potentially becoming a championship-caliber team even in a tough conference.
At a glance
Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards scored 45 points and LaMelo Ball added five three-pointers in a 131-point win over Miami Heat, confirming their biggest strength and weakness.
