The Minnesota Timberwolves have proven themselves as a formidable opponent in the Western Conference, taking a commanding 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers in the First Round series. Anthony Edwards has been the driving force behind this surge, leading his team with an alpha-type confidence that is infectious to his teammates.
Edwards’ leadership extends beyond statistics, as he consistently gives shout-outs to his teammates and acknowledges specific plays that sparked momentum for the Wolves. This confidence has also translated onto the hardwood, where he has guarded Luka Dončić and LeBron James with ferocity while still averaging nearly 30 points per game.
The team’s performance in clutch situations has been particularly impressive, with Edwards scoring or assisting on every basket during a crucial 13-1 Wolves’ flurry in Game 3. In Game 4, he dropped 16 of his series-high 43 points in the fourth quarter while also hounding James and Dončić on defense.
However, it’s not just Edwards who has been performing at an elite level. Julius Randle is enjoying the best postseason of his career, averaging 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Jaden McDaniels is putting up strong numbers as well, with 19.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. Naz Reid has also been lights out in fourth quarters, outscoring the Lakers’ reserves by himself.
The Wolves have been playing to their strengths on defense, limiting the Lakers to just 44.3% shooting from the field while scoring efficiently themselves. They’re averaging 48.5 points in the paint and have been stingy on fast breaks, forcing 14.5 turnovers per game.
With the pressure mounting in Game 5, the Timberwolves are looking fierce with their fearless determination and Edwards’ leadership at the helm. Can they close out the Lakers and advance to the Western Conference Finals?
Source: https://www.nba.com/news/timberwolves-defense-tenacity-driving-3-1-lead-over-lakers