Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Capitalize On ‘Desperate’ Feeling

Not many people are giving the Minnesota Timberwolves a chance in the NBA playoffs. Or even to get out of the first round.

But the Timberwolves showed plenty capable on Saturday, racing past the visiting Phoenix Suns by a 120-95 count behind 33 points from Anthony Edwards. They lead the Western Conference series, 1-0.

“We just wanted to show we were the desperate team,” Edwards told reporters.

The Suns, interestingly enough, won all three regular-season meetings. They looked overmatched on this day, though.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 18 on 7-for-12 shooting and Rudy Gobert recorded 14 points and 16 big rebounds.

The win marked the first for the Timberwolves in a Game 1 at home in 20 years. They realize Game 2 could be a lot tougher.

“It’s going to be hard to beat these guys,” Edwards said. “It’s just one game. They’re going to be ready to go the next time we play them.”

Kevin Durant scored 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting to pace Phoenix, while Devin Booker had 18 points and Bradley Beal finished with 15. But man, the Suns were destroyed on the boards by a 52-28 count.

Plus, Booker was just off — missing both jump shots and a few layups.

“They’ve got some great perimeter defenders on that team, so we can do a more creative job of getting him open,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said.

For the Wolves, it was just another example that if they win, NBA fans will come.

“The Wolves had sellouts for every home game this season for the first time since they moved into Target Center 34 years ago,” wrote the Associated Press. “Their fans — as antsy for a postseason run as any in American pro sports — brought finals-level energy to the first round that the Wolves have not escaped since their only advancement 20 years ago, a crowd that included former (Adrian Peterson) and current (Justin Jefferson) Vikings stars.”

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