3 things to watch in Spurs-Timberwolves Game 3

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Thirty-eight factors is generally sufficient to win a complete playoff sequence and clearly overkill for any single sport. Consider, a yr in the past, the Minnesota Timberwolves beat Golden State in the Western Conference semifinals by a complete of 36 factors over 5 video games.

Back in the NBA’s second spherical once more this spring, the Wolves obtained blown off the court docket at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center in Game 2 Wednesday by 38, 133-95.

That makes the groups’ respective objectives heading into Game 3 on Friday (9:30 ET, Prime Video)ostensibly easy. The Spurs need to replicate their efficiency as a lot as doable when each individuals in a dynamic sequence are doing their greatest to be transferring targets. Minnesota, against this, needs to make their friends at Target Center want they’d held a few of that bloated margin in reserve as emergency factors they’re going to want going ahead.

Here are three things to watch for at 1-1, with the Spurs keen to seize again home-court benefit even because the Wolves attempt to assert some:

1. Edwards to flash his All-Star type

Ask any Wolves fan what their crew wants to discover an additional gear in Game 3 they usually’ll say “More Ant” – they usually will not be speaking about Memphis’ level guard. Anthony Edwards understandably has had a muted impression up to now, owing to his ahead-of-schedule return from a bruised and hyperextended left knee (whereas not absolutely recovered from a sore proper knee).

That actuality does not lower him any slack with the Spurs, who’ve restricted Edwards whereas on the court docket to a mixed 30 factors in Games 1 and a couple of. Coming off the bench each nights, Edwards chastised himself after giving up a pair of essential rebounds late in the opener, then had turnovers whereas posting a private playoff worst minus-23 in his 24 minutes Wednesday.

Edwards nonetheless drew the defensive respect from San Antonio of being double-teamed, however he handled the traps much less successfully than regular. His 13 shot makes an attempt in every sport tied for third-fewest in his 48 playoff performances, and he has scored 30 factors or extra – in single video games, not two – 16 instances.

Through their runs to the convention finals in 2024 and ’25, Edwards’ expertise and the stress it places on opponents has been Minnesota’s superpower. Its report when he has scored 20+ in a playoff sport: 19-14. And when he hasn’t: 6-9.

He most likely must be again in the beginning lineup, his minutes want to ramp up and overlook about letting the sport “come to him,” as some coaches will advise. For the Wolves’ good, Edwards wants to seize it by the neck.

2. Less typoff, extra beginning block

Expect each groups to purpose for fast, explosive begins. San Antonio did that in Game 2, rocking the Wolves in the primary quarter with aggressive offense from level guard De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama. Minnesota is aware of that an early pounce is the southeast means to maximize the sequence’ shift to Minneapolis and, frankly, the prolonged blissful hour of an 8:30 native time typoff.

“Whenever we’re able to start games off pretty well, we’re usually on the front foot,” Fox stated, after he and Wembanyama flexed repeated pick-and-rolls that obtained each Spurs going. “When we’re the aggressors, we’re able to win most of those games.”

Wolves ahead Julius Randle noticed the flip facet of the Spurs’ quick begin. “They out-hustled us, out-physicaled us, out-executed, played better defensively, more energy.”

Bringing instant depth ensures nothing over 48 minutes, however not bringing it nearly assures the much less frenetic crew of an uphill night time.

3. A bit Denver dislike from McDaniels

Jaden McDaniels is Minnesota’s greatest and most versatile perimeter, with loads of San Antonio weapons in want of holstering if his crew hopes to prevail. The lanky, usually laconic wing added to his impression in the primary spherical by aggravating Denver with some “bad defenders” jibe after Game 2 and his late layup on the finish of Game 4.

If McDaniels is not going to pop off or irritate the Spurs in related style, he not less than wants to clamp down on a number of of San Antonio’s scoring threats. The greatest impediment up to now? Foul hassle. He obtained whistled for 5 in the opener and had a fast three in Game 2, sending him to the bench. In his absence, the Spurs’ lead ballooned from eight factors to 24.

“Jaden was a bright spot for us,” Wolves coach Chris Finch stated. “(The fouls) certainly derailed his night, and we were never able to really benefit from a very good Jaden, which is important to us.”

That defined how McDaniels emerged from the 38-point drubbing with a mere minus-6 in his 19:35 minutes. But he has been and must be averaging double that, a disruptor choosing up in the backcourt and definitely earlier than San Antonio will get downhill into Rudy Gobert.

Against this foe, nevertheless, McDaniels may need to let his sport do his speaking. Wembanyama was requested earlier than Game 1 about that type of extracurricular, and he gave the impression of he nearly welcomed it.

“Talking is not something that bothers me,” the elongated one stated. “Yeah, it’s exciting. It makes the game even better. I always appreciate people helping me push through my limits.”

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Steve Aschburner has written in regards to the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him herediscover (*3*) and follow him on.