There have been many reasons for Minnesota Timberwolves fans to squirm and fidget in their seats this season. And after taking a beating on the road, and limping home injured after just two wins in a five-game road trip, hosting even a struggling team like the Chicago Bulls (11-17) was not a game that filled the seats with confident fans.
But this was a different team. After the Timberwolves roster hit bedrock against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the last of the team’s road trip, the Timberwolves seemed to draw inspiration for shooting three-pointers from beyond the perimeter. That was made abundantly obvious when backup point guard Austin Rivers salvo’d the Thunder from beyond the arc, who had scored on just three of 25 three-pointers, found the range, and blasted the Thunder on four of five shooting on three-pointers.
That was not a one-off event. Rivers picked up in this one right where he had left off, now blasting the Chicago Bulls on four of six shooting from the perimeter. But while that might normally be the headline, it’s the back page story on this one.
Minnesota Timberwolves backcourt takes center stage in this one
I have touted the Minnesota Timberwolves’ backcourt as among the NBA’s Top-5. While they have flashed that at times, the pair have not exactly been consistent enough to get the attention of the NBA to warrant consideration. Well, until now, that is.
With the Timberwolves roster depleted at the frontcourt, the outcome of the game against the Chicago Bulls rested solely on the shoulders of SG Anthony Edwards and just returned PG D’Angelo Russell. Based on their performance in this one, that is exactly how this duo wanted it.
Anthony Edwards continued his facilitator ways, hitting a double-double by scoring an eye-popping 37 points in this one, as well as dishing out 11 assists. He ended the game just three rebounds shy of earning a triple-double.
D’Angelo Russell did not cool off in his short-duration absence. In fact, is it possible that he got even hotter? He was seven of ten from the perimeter, an incredible 70 percent accuracy, as he put up 28 points in this one. He ended the game with a +/- of +33, just slightly better than teammate Jaden Mcdaniels’ +/- rating of +31. Both ratings are nearly demi-god status in the NBA.
So how did Ant-Man and D-Lo do combined?
Anthony Edwards 37 pts / 7 rebs / 11 asts / 4 of 11 3pt / 2 stls / +15
D’Angelo Russell 28 pts / 2 rebs / 8 asts / 7 of 10 3pt / 0 stls / +33
Combined 65 pts / 9 rebs / 19 asts / 11 of 21 3pt / 2 stls
It was that backcourt performance that led the Timberwolves to their best offensive outburst, and once more calls attention to just how good this backfield can be when they play up to their potential. And right now, they are . . .