Edwards erupts, KAT bounces back in Wolves’ win

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Anthony Edwards dazzled in his postseason debut, and Karl-Anthony Cities turned in a formidable bounce-back sport because the Minnesota Timberwolves upset the Memphis Grizzlies 130-117 in Sport 1 of their first-round playoff collection on Saturday.

“We did a superb job of enjoying our sport, Timberwolves basketball,” Cities stated. “This was a workforce win. This occurred as a result of all of us got here at the moment with one objective in thoughts, and that was profitable. I assumed we performed quite a lot of profitable basketball. We did quite a lot of little issues which might be wanted to win. We must be very pleased with our efficiency.”

Edwards, the No. 1 decide within the 2020 NBA draft, scored 36 factors to change into the third-youngest participant with greater than 35 factors in a playoff sport, behind solely Derrick Rose and Tyler Herro, in accordance with ESPN Stats & Info analysis. Edwards did his harm from everywhere in the courtroom, draining 4 photographs from past the arc, making three baskets on the rim and changing 8 of 8 free throw makes an attempt in one of many extra auspicious coming-out events in current NBA historical past.

“I instructed [teammate Taurean Prince] I deal with each sport the identical,” Edwards stated. “I did not really feel any totally different — like a regular-season sport to me.”

Cities, who struggled from the sphere and with foul hassle in Minnesota’s play-in victory Tuesday night time over the visiting LA Clippers, reversed his fortunes with an environment friendly 29-point, 13-rebound efficiency. He dominated Memphis middle Steven Adams, scoring on 9 of his 11 makes an attempt in opposition to the Grizzlies’ stalwart massive man. It was a marked distinction to Cities’ uneven effort in Minneapolis.

“I am proud of the efficiency I had tonight,” Cities stated. “I simply actually really feel like that is what I am speculated to do. It should not be one thing we must be celebrating, like, ‘Oh, you bought an opportunity to play a very good sport on a nationwide stage. Try to be actually proud and excited.’ I am supposed to try this.”

In his postgame feedback, Cities emphasised Edwards’ uncanny shot-making, a capability to hit troublesome makes an attempt in opposition to tight protection. On Saturday, eight of Edwards’ 12 made subject objectives have been contested by Memphis defenders.

“He is not going to get a simple shot,” Cities stated. “For him to have the ability to take a number of dribbles within the playoffs and nonetheless get to his spot and make a shot, it is one thing that is particular. As a result of when you’re within the playoffs, normally the one-on-one dribble drives get taken away, and he is nonetheless discovering methods to get there. He is a particular expertise.”

Edwards’ shot likelihood — which measures the chance an try can be profitable — was the bottom among the many eight gamers within the sport who tried greater than 10 subject objectives, in accordance with Second Spectrum. But he completed with a wholesome efficient subject objective share of 56%.

Effectively-aware of his popularity for taking difficult, generally lower-percentage makes an attempt, Edwards quipped that he was fairly glad along with his weight-reduction plan of photographs.

“I really like my photographs,” Edwards stated. “No matter shot I take, whether or not it is a step-back trey-ball or a step-back midrange or a floater or a layup — no matter my shot is — I prefer it. Typically, [Timberwolves coach Chris Finch] might not prefer it, however I really like my shot. I am simply trusting myself.”

The Timberwolves additionally belief Edwards, because the long-suffering Minnesota franchise goes up 1-0 in its quest to win a playoff collection for the primary time since 2004.

“When he is enjoying basketball at this sort of stage, he is virtually unstoppable,” Cities stated of Edwards, earlier than correcting himself. “He’s unstoppable, really.”