3 Reasons the Timberwolves will advance to the NBA Finals

1. Anthony Edwards

We’ve seen him affect big games by taking over offensively. In Game 1 against the Nuggets, the Wolves All-Star guard dropped 43 points on 17-of-29 from the field. We’ve also seen him affect games by taking over when his scoring isn’t there. Anthony Edwards hauled in eight boards, and seven assists, and recorded two steals in Game 7.

Edwards is a complete game-changer on both ends for the Wolves. Against Dallas, he’ll be asked to defend both Doncic and Irving throughout the series. On offense, the star guard will be the primary focus of the Mavericks’ defensive scheme.

Fortunately for Edwards, he’s now been through this before.

He hung with Jamal Murray defensively last round against Denver. The two-time All-Star held Murray to a 30.0 percent clip from the field and beyond the arc. In 32 minutes defending the Nuggets star, Edwards only allowed him to score 21 points.

Edwards was a ruthless problem-solver on offense throughout the series, even when his shot wasn’t falling. In every game he scored below 20 points, Edwards combined for at least 11 rebounds and assists.

The Wolves will need a similar offensive and defensive output from Edwards to have a chance to beat a strenuous Dallas team. Thankfully for Wolves fans, there is clear-cut evidence that Edwards is more than capable of affecting the game in a myriad of ways.