Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves surged to a commanding 3-0 lead in the initial round series against the Phoenix Suns. Minnesota’s impressive 50-28 rebounding advantage played a pivotal role in their ability to secure more scoring opportunities during the game.
The Minnesota Timberwolves convincingly outplayed the Phoenix Suns in Game 3, winning 126-109, though the final score didn’t accurately reflect the dominance displayed by the series leaders. With a significant edge in rebounding, particularly in second chance points, dominance in the paint, and six players scoring in double digits, the Timberwolves seized control of a closely contested match in the third quarter, putting the Suns in a difficult position they’re unlikely to overcome.
Led by the exceptional performance of star player Anthony Edwards, who scored 36 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, along with double-double contributions from Karl-Anthony Towns (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Rudy Gobert (19 points, 14 rebounds), the Timberwolves asserted their superiority, leaving the Suns struggling. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (16 points, 5 assists) and Naz Reid (13 points), named 6th Man of the Year, also made significant contributions off the bench.
While Bradley Beal (28 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists), Kevin Durant (25 points, 5 assists), and Devin Booker (23 points, 8 assists) provided the bulk of the Suns’ scoring, accounting for 70% of it, the lack of substantial contributions from other players like Eric Gordon (11 points) highlighted the Suns’ struggles, especially with Grayson Allen sidelined.
The first quarter was tightly contested, with Towns and Edwards leading the Timberwolves’ offense and Beal and Durant responding for the Suns. However, Minnesota’s slight advantage at the end of the quarter was maintained through the second, with Edwards showcasing his playmaking abilities to extend their lead.
In the third quarter, the Timberwolves intensified their pressure on the Suns, capitalizing on Jaden McDaniels’ early foul trouble and Towns’ scoring prowess to build an insurmountable lead. Despite efforts from Phoenix, Minnesota’s relentless offense, coupled with effective ball retrieval, left the Suns trailing by a significant margin heading into the final quarter.
Here are some observations from the text
1. The 4/5 high pick-and-roll involving Gobert and Towns appears to serve little purpose unless it’s just a distraction for other perimeter players.
2. Despite watching few Timberwolves games this season, it’s evident how swiftly Edwards moves and how crisply he delivers cross-court passes, a skill Devin Vassell could learn from.
3. The writer counted instances where the player initiating the offense for Phoenix also took the shot, which happened 13 times throughout the game. Despite increased ball movement in the second half, it didn’t significantly impact the outcome due to the team’s already considerable deficit.
4. Unusual plays like Gobert’s eurostep in the first quarter and his Duncan-esque banker in the second were unexpected sights on the court.
5. The writer critiques certain playoff commercials, including those from Wingstop, Gatorade water, and Buffalo Wild Wings.
6. There’s admiration for former Spurs players like Drew Eubanks finding success in the league.
7. The writer predicts that once Durant and Beal age, the Suns may fade, potentially allowing the San Antonio Spurs to surpass them in the Western Conference standings in future seasons.
8. The first quarter saw Towns scoring eight of Minnesota’s first nine points, with Gobert executing an unusual eurostep and Towns eventually putting the Wolves ahead. Gordon’s immediate impact for Phoenix and Edwards’ scoring burst were notable.
9. The pace picked up in the second quarter, with both teams staying close in score. Towns faced foul trouble, but Minnesota maintained a slim lead, culminating in a late surge to end the half up 59-53.
In the third quarter, similar to the start of the game, Towns initiated Minnesota’s scoring. His uncontested straightaway three-pointer highlighted the Wolves’ dominance. Although Booker became more assertive on offense for the Suns, the Timberwolves consistently outpaced them on the scoreboard. Alexander-Walker’s three consecutive three-pointers extended Minnesota’s lead to 19 points. With a commanding 36-20 quarter led by Alexander-Walker and Reid, the Timberwolves essentially rendered the fourth quarter a mere formality.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Phoenix managed one of their better plays of the game, despite being down by 21 points. However, Anthony Edwards swiftly countered with a driving layup. With eight minutes left, both teams entered the bonus situation, and the Suns finally found their shooting rhythm, albeit several quarters behind schedule.
