The Timberwolves step up and shut down the Mavericks
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Wow, the Wolves did it. Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards were absolutely incredible against Kyrie and Luka on that possession.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 14, 2023
The Timberwolves won a great game on the road, but this time with an insane ability to shut down opponents who often score at ease. If there are games that can be pointed to as moral victories, then this certainly qualifies.
ANT AND JADEN JUST LOCKED KYRIE AND LUKA TO SEAL THE WIN OH MY GOD pic.twitter.com/RODqeGY5V2
— Wolves Lead (@TWolvesLead) February 14, 2023
But it was not an easy decision for Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. To get the most athletic players and best match-up onto the basketball court, the Timberwolves had to sit center Rudy Gobert. Gobert was not only the guy who led all players with 14 rebounds, but he was back on offense too, scoring an amazing 21 points on nine of nine shooting from the floor.
Where’s Gobert?
Rudy Gobert was having an incredible game. But he sat at the end.
Here was Rudy Gobert on not playing the final minutes (1/2): “I trust coach. At the same time, I want to win and when it’s winning time for me, that’s what I live for. That’s when I elevate myself, when I’m at my best. Definitely want to be out there unless I’m not playing well."
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) February 14, 2023
The trick is, Gobert was playing well. In fact, he was having a solid game. Not only had he hit on another double-double, but his +/- differential was an outstanding +17 for the game, leading everyone by a significant margin. That’s a tough move to make in a game that will be decided by the final 15 seconds, but Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch played a hunch. He knew that the Mavericks would try to outflank his players, and he knew that both Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels were up to the challenge.