The Minnesota Timberwolves scored a 123-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. A vicious newcomer to Anthony Edwards and a superstar performance game from Karl Anthony-Towns combined for a total of 83 points.
Devin Booker, who won the best player for the Suns, showed that even when he is well on the field, he will still continue to trust his teammates with open kicks, but the attack waned in the end to find some luck.
The turns were definitely the subject of the moment, with the Suns making a total of 22 for the game. The goal behind the Suns is big, as any team in the league will face the challenge of dismantling a Western Conference beast.
First half
The Suns started the aggressive game in defense and attack, forcing four turnovers in the first three minutes of the game and throwing a few dunks in the hands of Deandre Ayton and Booker. Booker was back to being the “First quarter book”, reaching his points on the floor and forcing great looks and ended the first quarter with 16 points including the end of the quarter with a 3 point mark!
The T-Wolves returned the favor by forcing turnovers and taking advantage of wrong passes. Ayton went to the bench early with two fouls, giving Towns more room to roam the floor. Mikal Bridges moved to guard Towns, but the size advantage was too big for Bridges to handle.
Edwards, who now touches the ball for the T-Wolves, each possession is the offense for his team along with Towns. An aggressive goalkeeper, Edwards started the game with seven attempts at shooting and seven points.
Suns’ revenue reached ten at the end of the first quarter!
The T-Wolves managed to put an end to their turnaround early in the game by playing iso-ball between Towns and Edwards.
Edwards started the second quarter as almost uncontrollable. The Zion Williamson effect started with Edwards having full control of the attack. Two consecutive trios and a dunk lead to a timeout at the start of the second quarter for the Suns.
The Suns had to fight Edwards in every possession, which had been hot since three. Mikal and Ayton came into play in the middle of the second half to lift the Suns’ attack with a 3-point basket made by Mikal and a few easy kicks under Ayton’s edge (one leading to free throws).
Turnover continued to increase for Suns, ending the first half with 14 of them, but maintained the 58-53 lead. Towns and Edwards combined in 6-12 shots from three doing the best they could to keep things close.
Suns 58, KAT / Edwards Duo 41 at halftime.
The rest of the Timberwolves combined 12 points.
– Suns JAM Session Podcast (@SunsJAM) March 19, 2021
Ayton managed to make a solid second half with 8 PTS and 5 REB, along with Booker leading the Suns with 21 points.
Second time
Booker with two finishes alley-oop baptized the start of the third quarter by illuminating the lead of the Suns. Finding the open snipers with cover sinking in the middle of the painting, Booker was able to spread the wealth on the offensive side.
Bridges in painting are always good. The three-point shots continued to fall for him and the open lanes were there for a 12-foot fade-away. Realizing that they are the best team and taking care of the ball, Booker and Bridges seem dominant.
7:23 left in the third quarter and Booker has his mark of 30 points … so he added a tray to increase his total points to 32. Booker may be eager to go out with newly hired Torrey Craig, who is sitting in the audience for this game. The rest of the night off seemed to arrive sooner or later for the Suns starting lineup.
Ayton, as the first quarter, went to the bench receiving his fourth foul when the T-Wolves were able to reduce the advantage, losing by seven.
Langston Galloway, who had a good fist halfway through the game with five points, returned to the game in the crucial last four minutes of the third period. A look on the floor that featured four guards at Booker, Abdel Nadar, Galloway and Cam Payne, along with Dario Saric playing the five. This group was able to keep the game a little out of reach in the fourth period, before Jevon Carter replaced Booker with a minute left. The lead was tight – 91-83.
The 9:06 lead in the fourth quarter was reduced to six points. A timeout has been requested and players may be returning to the game sooner.
Bridges back in the game, once again boosted Suns’ attack with a 3-point make. But the three consecutive T-Wolves have reduced the advantage to three!
The 5 minute mark. Suns took 107-104.
Towns was able to knock down a three to tie the game, but Booker came back with an easy two. Both Edwards and Towns were facing Booker face to face. The only offense from the Suns at that time was Booker.
The Suns lost with 2 minutes remaining in game 115-113, before Booker managed to reach the line and reduce it to one, losing 1-2 of the line.
With the T-Wolves at 120-116 and 38 seconds remaining in the game, Jae Crowder managed to reduce the advantage to two. The free throw game started and the Suns ended up losing by 123-119.