Timberwolves-Suns: 5 takeaways from Wolves' dominant Game 2 win
The Timberwolves are just two wins away from securing a playoff series victory for the first time in two decades.
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MINNEAPOLIS – Never mind that no Timberwolves team in 20 years had started 2-0 in a playoff series until now. That’s ancient history and, besides, the Wolves only participated in three series between 2004 and now.
It may be more intriguing to note that the Wolves have outscored the Suns by 37 points in Games 1 and 2 of their Western Conference first round matchup, beating Phoenix. This is the largest margin since last spring when Denver defeated Minnesota by 38 in a series that was ultimately won in five by the eventual NBA champions.
It’s too soon to know what significance that turnabout might have in the coming weeks, but here are five takeaways from the Wolves’ 105-93 victory Tuesday at Target Center:
1. Minnesota’s defense did what stars do
The NBA’s top players establish their names and amass their wealth during this time of the year. They rise to the occasion in the postseason, doing whatever it takes to secure a victory. It is undeniable that the defense has been the shining star of the Timberwolves team throughout this season.
In Game 1, The Wolves managed to restrict Phoenix to just 95 points, but that was just the beginning. In Game 2, they further reduced that to 93, marking the first time since the training camp in October that the Suns have been kept under 100 points in back-to-back games. Throughout the season, the Suns only failed to hit the triple-digit mark five times, but they haven’t come close to it in their two games this week.
The Wolves, for context, ranked first in 2023-24 in defensive efficiency at 108.4 points allowed per 100 possessions. Boston was second at 108.6, a gap of 2.2 points that was as big as the gap from Boston to the 10th-ranked Houston Rockets.
The Suns (116.8) ranked 10th offensively but Minnesota’s defense has been mightier so far. Their trio of potent scorers — Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal — averaged 72.4 points during the season but have managed just 64 and 52 so far. They were held to six made field goals each Tuesday for a cumulative 18-for-45 (40%) grind.
In one out of eight quarters, Phoenix has managed to score 30 points. Meanwhile, they have committed 36 turnovers, which have led to 54 points for Minnesota.
When asked about his team’s execution, Suns coach Frank Vogel could have used a classic quote from NFL Tampa Bay coach John McKay, stating, “I’m in favor of it.”
However, give credit to Minnesota. Emerging superstar Anthony Edwards may have received the majority of individual attention, but it was the tight-knit team that secured the victory for the night.
“From the very first minute of the game, our urgency is at its peak,” stated Rudy Gobert, the linchpin of Minnesota’s defense. “We are aware that we can be an exceptional defensive team when we escalate our efforts.”
2. McDaniels seizes his moment
From the beginning to the end, Edwards drew a host of Suns defenders, made 3 out of 12 shots, and scored seven of his 15 points from free throws. Karl-Anthony Towns found himself ensnared in foul trouble due to his increased defensive responsibilities, particularly while guarding Durant. As a result, he spent all but eight minutes of the first half on the bench.
Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who are backups, were scoring at a rate that was half of what they achieved in Game 1. This created an opportunity for someone else to step up, and Jaden McDaniels seized that opportunity with a Euro-step.
With 25 points and eight rebounds, he was just one short of his season’s best, shooting 10-for-17 in over 41 minutes. The fourth-year wing, standing 6-foot-9 and weighing 185 pounds, has the reach, length, and lateral agility to hassle scorers of all kinds, with Booker and Durant most frequently attempting to evade him.
“Coach Chris Finch said, “He had a special performance.”
it ain't over. pic.twitter.com/oGjK7H7drD
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 24, 2024
The Wolves’ coaching staff has been encouraging McDaniels to take a more aggressive approach towards the basket and in rebounding. Although he can often be overlooked due to ball-dominant teammates, he received an opportunity.
You may remember that McDaniels didn’t get any game time in the last postseason. He was absent from Minnesota’s series against Denver due to a broken hand, which he sustained by punching a wall near the conclusion of the regular season. His teammate, Mike Conley, expressed how much he and the rest of the team missed McDaniels in their matches against the Nuggets.
The veteran point guard stated, “Indeed, he won’t admit it, but I’m aware that it bothered him a bit because it was more of a self-inflicted situation than anything else. We recognized that his presence made us a more rounded team, providing us with the opportunity to exert pressure on any opponent we faced. I believe this experience prepared him for this year. I think he entered with a refreshed mindset. He’s utilizing this chance to compete against the world’s top players and exhibit his abilities during prime time.”
3. Booker ready for flight home
In his initial postseason experience in 2021, Booker averaged over 27 points, contributing significantly to the Suns’ advancement to the Finals. His performance was particularly remarkable in the following spring, with an average of 33.7 points per game and a 50% success rate for his 3-point shots.
He has managed to score 38 points in two games, making 11 out of 29 shots and 3 out of 12 from the arc. However, he struggled in Game 1 under McDaniels’ scrutiny, eventually fouling out Tuesday after six turnovers.
At one point, he got into a shoving match with his defensive adversary. Subsequently, Booker committed his fifth and sixth fouls within a mere 15 seconds. It seemed like he was ready to not only leave the court but also the building, the state, the ZIP code, and even the time zone.
“He expressed his frustration, saying it was confined within the team. He emphasized the need for execution and unity, especially when things go wrong. He acknowledged that this issue had been consistent throughout the season and that it needed rectification.”
4. A giddy Gobert challenge
Midway through the first quarter, the Wolves broke downcourt and Gobert was leading the fast break. He ran into Phoenix’s lumbering center Jusuf Nurkic at the far end, flipping the ball up and, after a bounce, in.
Unfortunately, the 7-foot-1 center was called for an offensive foul. This was until coach Chris Finch contested the decision and succeeded, saving Gobert’s playful sprint and final move. Adding to the drama, the foul was given to Nurkic. Gobert missed his free throw for an additional point, but McDaniels grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and made his two free throws, rounding off the four-point play.
“I didn’t notice anyone running alongside me,” said Gobert, “so I just seized the moment.”
5. Allen twists another night away
Suns guard Grayson Allen logged 25 minutes in Game 1 before twisting his right ankle and leaving for the night. This time, Allen was done after playing 17:27, stepping on Conley’s foot on defense to badly twist it again.
Phoenix’s attack was left with a void both times. The Wolves capitalized on this on Saturday, embarking on a 27-12 run after his departure and extending their lead to 25. In the latest instance, the Wolves outpaced the Suns 20-10 in the subsequent six minutes, taking a 72-63 lead.
As a result, Allen has scored only seven points on 1-of-5 shooting in the series. He can try again in Game 3 Friday at Footprint Center (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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