The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their season with a convincing victory and an encouraging debut from their new-look backcourt.
Minnesota will try to improve to 2-0 when it faces the host Orlando Magic on Friday night in its second straight road game.
The biggest development for Minnesota has been the early chemistry between Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. Edwards scored 45 points on 16-for-29 shooting, including nine 3-pointers, while Ball added 21 points and six assists in Wednesday’s 131-106 victory over the Miami Heat.
As the Timberwolves turn their attention to the Magic, Edwards is encouraging Ball to take more shots, even if it means fewer looks for himself.
“We need him to be ultra aggressive at all times because every team knows that he can pass the ball,” Edwards said. “If they know you can pass, they’re expecting a pass. So we need him to go score. That’s why we always give him the ball.
“Any chance he wants to score, go score. Any time he wants to pass, go pass. That’s why I’m like, ‘Bro, we’re trying to give you the ball every time you’re in the game. Don’t get tired.'”
Orlando will try to slow the Timberwolves’ aggressive approach as it seeks its first win of the season. The Magic lost 132-125 at home to the Atlanta Hawks in their season opener Wednesday.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 35 points on 10-of-12 shooting while adding 10 assists and seven rebounds. Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. scored 22 points apiece.
Magic coach Sean Sweeney said his players had things to build on after the first game. He said the team showed glimpses but needed a more consistent effort over a full 48 minutes.
“In stretches, we did some good things on both sides of the ball, and in stretches we did some things that we really have to clean up,” Sweeney said. “I think there were a lot of teachable moments and a lot of corrections we can make in terms of defensively, some of our principles and scheme stuff. And then offensively, I thought at times we did a really good job of how we played, but now we need to keep doing more of it.”
This is Sweeney’s first season as a head coach. He praised his players for being receptive to the corrections that he noted while watching game film.
“These guys have done a really good job of trying to bring the right approach each day and being ready to learn, correct and do better when needed, and then double down on the things that we have done well,” Sweeney said.
Besides Edwards and Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu will look to build upon impressive openers for the Timberwolves. McDaniels finished with 17 points on 8-for-11 shooting, and Dosunmu scored 16 points off the bench.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch could keep trying different combinations on the court as he gets a better handle on his new-look roster.
“I’m still feeling my way through some of the rotation pieces,” Finch said. “… We’ll still take it as it comes. We’ve always had a blueprint, but we always leave ourselves the freedom to deviate off of it.”
