Minnesota
Anthony Edwards has arrived as the man in Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards made an enduring perception Saturday in his playoff launching versus Memphis. Edwards kicked down the door and also controlled the Grizzlies, establishing a brand-new Twolves document in racking up for a gamer in his initial championship game.
Edwards exceeded Stephon Marbury’s document of 28-points in his initial occupation championship game with a 36-point efficiency of his very own. He additionally came to be the third-youngest gamer in NBA background to publish a 35-point getaway in the playoffs. Just Magic Johnson (42), Tyler Herro (37), and also currently Edwards (36) have actually completed that prior to the age of 21.
If it hasn’t been claimed currently, allow me be the initial to state it. Anthony Edwards has actually gotten here. He led the Twolves in racking up with 30 factors in their play-in video game triumph over the Clippers. After that he runs out of evictions versus the Grizzlies, blazing a trail as the Twolves slapped them in the mouth in Video game Among the collection.
Perhaps you hadn’t discovered, however Edwards has actually gradually taken control of this group. He’s made his existence really felt in a significant method all period. In December, Edwards came to be the youngest gamer in NBA background to make 10 three-point shots in a video game. Otherwise for Edwards (and also D’Angelo Russell) in the play-in video game versus the Clippers recently, the Twolves would certainly’ve shed. L.A.had no solutions for Edwards on the border or at the basket. He merely controlled, assisting Minnesota to their initial playoff look because 2018.
Playing in Minnesota, many followers throughout the nation most likely haven’t seen much of Edwards in his initial 2 NBA projects. Currently Edwards reaches display his capability before a nationwide target market in this first-round competition versus Memphis. Think it or otherwise, we might recall at the end of this collection with Memphis and also state Edwards was the most effective gamer on the court. Yes, in a collection that includes both Ja Morant and also Karl-Anthony Towns, I am stating Edwards can be the most effective and also most impactful gamer on the flooring.
This youngster doesn’t appear to be afraid the minute. He’s handled the obstacle so far of striking huge shots in huge places throughout the play-in and also the playoffs. In the play-in video game versus the Clippers recently, Edwards generated huge play after huge play to maintain them away whenever LA started to make a late run. It never ever appeared like he was trembled or rattled by that minute.
That’s specifically the sort of strength a young group like Minnesota requires. If anybody has ice water in his blood vessels, it’s Edwards. After that he supported that play-in efficiency with an also much better one versus the Grizzlies. And also Edwards has individuality in addition to being a prominent baller on the court. That appeared in his response to Memphis followers’ “garbage talk” in Video game One. Edwards simply grinned and also proceeded going down pails on the residence group.
Ought to Edwards remain to create these huge postseason video games, the Timberwolves can progress to the 2nd round of the postseason for simply the 2nd time in franchise business background. The only various other time Minnesota’s surpassed the preliminary remained in 2004, when Kevin Garnett led the group to its only Western Seminar Finals look. So, there is a great deal at risk below for Edwards and also these young wolves.
The Twolves have the production of a natural Big 3 on their hands today. In Between Edwards, Towns, and also Russell, Minnesota ought to be about in the western meeting playoff discussion for many years to find. With Edwards blazing a trail with his play and also mindset, it may not be long prior to we see this group back in the WCF.
Throughout the routine period, Memphis was the huge tale as a result of the huge dive they’ve made from in 2015 to currently. If they aren’t mindful, Minnesota might commandeer that nationwide limelight. If Edwards has a say in the issue, I assume the chances are currently in his support.
Box Score
SP: Bailey Ober 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K (88 pitches, 59 strikes)
Home Runs: Carlos Correa (9)
Bottom 3 WPA: Christian Vazquez (-.214), Griffin Jax (-.212), Cole Sands (-.196)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
Ober, Correa, Go Deep
Through the first five innings of the game, Minnesota and Seattle struggled to get much of anything going offensively. The Twins managed just three hits with the Mariners recording a pair. It wasn’t until the bottom of the fifth inning that Josh Rojas doubled to score Mitch Haniger. He should have been out by 20 feet, but Christian Vazquez booted Willi Castro’s relay to the plate.
The Twins had a quick response when Willi Castro provided a sixth inning baserunner by again getting hit by a pitch. Carlos Correa, back in the lineup after being hit on Thursday, just like he said he would be, launched a two-run dinger. His ninth blast of the season made it a 2-1 game.
Bailey Ober turned in another great start, and his one allowed run came on two hits and a trio of walks. He struck out nine and turned it over to Jorge Alcala.
Jax Jumped Late
Griffin Jax took over for the eighth inning and needed to hold the slim lead. Walking Haniger to start the inning, Luke Raley came on to run. A throwing error by Jose Miranda allowed him to score and the game was tied late. Intentionally walking Cal Raleigh, before getting Mitch Kepler to fly out. Dominic Canzone struck out and the Twins needed to win it in the ninth inning.
Jhoan Duran took over for the bottom half after the Twins couldn’t score. Seattle pushed runners to second and third with just one out, but got a strikeout of Rojas before J.P. Crawford flew out to end the inning. He didn’t touch more than 100.3 mph on the night, but made it work.
On To Extras
Facing Ryne Stanek with Miranda starting at second base in the tenth, Max Kepler began the frame with a fly out. Manuel Margot moved the runner with a fly out, but the Twins were working with two outs. Christian Vazquez grounded out and dropped his OPS to a truly astonishing .465. Beyond giving up the first run, and continuing to be an automatic out at the plate, he has become a substantial problem for Minnesota.
Cole Sands came on for the bottom of the tenth inning and Julio Rodriguez moved Crawford to third base for the first out. Raleigh grounded back behind Sands and Crawford raced home to walk it off for the Mariners.
Correa was the only player to record a pair of hits with Minnesota totaling just six on the evening. The Twins struck out only four times but didn’t draw a walk. Bad defense down the stretch was the story that sank Rocco Baldelli’s club.
What’s Next?
Pablo Lopez starts for the Minnesota Twins, and gets to do so at a place in which he always enjoyed seeing fellow Venezuelan Felix Hernandez’s Kings Court. He’ll be opposed by the Mariners Bryce Miller.
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
It’s Pride Night, presented by adidas, as the Portland Timbers (6th, 7-7-6, 27pts) – unbeaten in their last six matches – host Minnesota United FC (5th, 6-6-5, 29pts) on Saturday night at Providence Park at 7:30pm PT.
Viewing/Broadcast Details
🖥️ TV/Streaming: Live coverage available in English and Spanish on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Enjoy 25% off for the rest of the season when you subscribe today.
Match Details | All You Need To Know ↓
🏳️🌈 Pride Night: Purchase a special Timbers Pride T-shirt! Available only at PTFC Authenics locations at Providence Park, proceeds benefit Wild Diversity and their work to present a personal connection to the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color and the LGBTQIA2S+ communities. Additionally, Kourtni Capree Duv will be singing the national anthem as well as joining drag collective Hot Chocolate PDX for a special pregame performance outside Gate F from 5:45pm-6:15pm PT.
The Opponent: Minnesota United FC (5th, 6-6-5, 29pts)
The Loons arrive in the Rose City in need of a result to right their ship. They’re winless in their last four outings and have suffered three straight defeats. In fact, since beating the Timbers on May 18 they have dropped their form into a 1-4-2 stretch over that span. Head coach Eric Ramsay has stuck with a 3-4-3 formation in their last two games, despite not registering a point.
A lot of the finishing responsibility will fall on the shoulders of midfielder Robin Lod as he continues to push The Loons offense with 15 goal contributions (5g, 10a) this season. Canadian striker Tani Oluwaseyi leads the way in scoring with 7 tallies (to go with 4 assists), however he is out on international duty with Canada at the Copa América. In the midfield, winger Joseph Rosales has been a jack-of-all-trades for Minnesota – taking on the left-side of the pitch both offensively and defensively he’s delivered five assists already and leads the team in interceptions per game at 2.7. Ceterbacks Michael Boxall and Miguel Tapias hold the backline with veteran goalkeeper Clint Irwin likely inbetweeen the posts with Dayne St. Clair’s international duty absence.
Notes & Numbers
Home Sweet Home
In their last five matches at Providence Park, the Timbers have become increasingly assertive and are racking up the points. Following the loss to Seattle, the Timbers won two-straight, settled for a draw with Houston, and then defeated Vancouver making Providence Park a home sweet home.
#14
Timbers #14 Jonathan Rodriguez is currently riding an impressive stretch of form. He’s recorded a goal contribution in seven of his last eight matches and nine of his last 11, providing seven goals and three assists.
Since 5/18
The Timbers seem to have turned things around following their defeat at Minnesota in mid-May. Since May 18, Portland is undefeated with a 4-0-2 record with a +6 goal differential to show for and are on their longest unbeaten streak this year.
3+
After 20 matches, the offensive load has been distributed nicely across the Timbers attack. Portland are the only club in MLS with three or more players with eight or more goals this season.
Terrence Shannon was the primary scoring option the past two seasons for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Those will only have to serve as fond memories during his rookie NBA season. He enters as perhaps the third, fourth or even fifth option his first year with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The T-Wolves already have their superstar in guard Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 pick in 2020. So Shannon just wants to learn much as possible. He was drafted No. 27, becoming the Illini’s first player picked in the first round since Meyers Leonard in 2012.
“Ant is an amazing player,” Shannon said. “He’s one of the best two-way players in the NBA. That’s something I’m looking to do. I’m looking to be there right with him, compete with him, lock down the best players in the NBA.”
Edwards had the young Timberwolves two victories from making the NBA Finals. They lost to the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the Western Conference finals. With Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns as the offensive leaders, the Wolves will look for defense and secondary scoring from Shannon in the beginning.
The Wolves drafted Shannon because they feel he could be the missing piece to help them reach the next level.
“I think he’s a three-position defender,” Wolves team president Tim Connelly said. “I think he’s an unbelievably competitive guy. He’s got size. Another downhill guy who’s going to play with pace.”
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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