Edwards optimistic Wolves will 'determine it out' – ESPN

OKLAHOMA CITY — Regardless of his crew being outscored by 30 factors within the second half of a lopsided 114-88 Game 1 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder to open the Western Convention finals Tuesday, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards flashed his signature confidence afterwards.
“I really feel nice,” Edwards mentioned after scoring simply 5 factors after halftime, ending with 18 factors on 5-for-13 capturing.
Edwards backed up his bravado with a plan to get again within the collection in Recreation 2 on Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): much less organizing the Wolves’ offense and extra producing it.
“I positively acquired to shoot extra,” Edwards mentioned. “I solely took 13 f—— photographs. … In all probability simply get off the ball just a little extra, play with out the ball. I feel that would be the reply. As a result of taking part in on the ball, they’re simply going to double and sit within the gaps all day.
“So, acquired to go watch some movie and choose it aside. We’ll determine it out.”
Not solely have been Edwards’ 13 makes an attempt his fewest in 11 video games this postseason, however solely a kind of bleeping makes an attempt was taken contained in the paint.
Edwards mentioned that the Thunder’s schemes dictated his method in Recreation 1. When requested if his proper ankle — which he turned within the first half and brought on him to retreat to the locker room to have it evaluated — affected his efficiency, he replied, “No.”
“I imply, they clogged the paint,” Edwards mentioned. “That is what they do. They do not acquired a lot dimension down there, so that they financial institution on us not making photographs, I suppose. As a result of each time I am going to the rim it is like 4 individuals within the paint.”
Certainly, the Wolves went from scoring 72 factors in Recreation 5 of the convention semifinals to shut out the Golden State Warriors to only 20 on Tuesday in Oklahoma Metropolis — the fewest paint factors in a playoff recreation for the franchise since Recreation 1 of the 2004 convention finals towards the Los Angeles Lakers, in line with ESPN Analysis.
Whereas Edwards was a keen passer, Minnesota was off the mark all evening. The Wolves shot 29.4% on 3-pointers (15-for-51) – accounting for probably the most makes an attempt from deep in a playoff recreation in franchise historical past.
“We had beauty, we simply must make photographs,” mentioned Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, who shot 3-for-12 on 3s off the bench. “Myself, I’ve to make a pair photographs and it loosens up the protection for Ant. It is a domino impact.”
DiVincenzo is not the one Minnesota participant who was off past the arc. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was 2-for-9, Mike Conley was 1-for-5, Naz Reid was 0-for-7.
“Typically, the passes have been late,” Wolves coach Chris Finch defined. “Typically we weren’t fairly shot prepared. Typically we have to flip them into different performs. However I did assume we acquired a variety of actually beauty and could not join when the sport was turning towards us.”
Edwards figured if the Thunder are going to remove photographs on the rim for him, he’d slightly be the one because the recipient for catch-and-shoot alternatives, slightly than consistently passing out of double groups all through the evening.
“I ought to be all proper: play with out the ball just a little extra, get just a little extra cardio in,” Edwards mentioned. “I ought to be good.”
As Edwards delivered his postgame remarks, his veteran teammate, Julius Randle, sat subsequent to him on the postgame podium.
Randle led Minnesota with 28 factors on 9-for-13 capturing, however solely eight of these factors got here after halftime – and none of these factors got here on 3s after he shot 5-for-6 on 3s within the first half.
“That is on me, I acquired to get him the ball,” Finch mentioned of Randle. “I acquired to get him extra concerned to start out the second half.”
However a plan is simply speak till its executed. Minnesota spoke advert nauseum about needing to guard the basketball in Recreation 1 — and proceeded to commit 19 turnovers leading to 31 factors for the Thunder.
The Wolves misplaced Recreation 1 towards the Warriors, too, and reeled off 4 straight wins to advance. Randle mentioned they can not merely plan on a bounceback win in Recreation 2 based mostly off that.
“We proved that we will do it, however we acquired to make it occur, too,” Randle mentioned. “We won’t simply be like, ‘All proper, we did it final collection … we will do it once more.’ This can be a nice crew. They have been taking part in nice basketball all 12 months. So, the great factor is we proved to ourselves that we will do it. However we acquired to make it occur.”

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