The Wolves have a bit of a scare against the Wizards

The latest from the NBA With a record of one win in thirteen games, the Wizards arrived at Target Center without Alex Sarr, their best player at the start of the season. It’s an understatement to say that we expected the worst against Wolves, and that’s how it was for half of it…

Anthony Edwards got off to a strong start with 12 points in the first quarter, Julius Randle was picking up fouls, and the Wolves were playing their basketball. In contrast, the Wizards are sticking with Bilal Koulibaly, and especially Kyshawn George. But when the two coaches open their bench, we can clearly see that Naz Reid and Mike Conley Jr. take advantage of the opponent’s “second unit”. The result, after the first quarter focused on the attack (34-29), the Wolves got angry, and the Wizards remained six minutes without a single point!

Reed is on fire, and the Wolves go 16-0! CJ McCollum stops the bleeding, but the Wizards lose possession after possession, and Reid insists. In the 2nd quarter alone, the former NBA’s best 6th man scored more points (18) than all of the Wizards combined (17). As the Wolves did not hesitate to score on every lost ball by Washington, the result was difficult at the break: 71-46!

Keeshon George is Washington

Coming back from the locker room, Brian Keefe changes strategy by double-holding Julius Randle and a big help to stop penetrations. Obviously, we end up with a drive-and-kick from the Wolves, and since the shooters don’t make one, Minnesota’s game becomes disrupted, and the Wizards regain their confidence. George and his partners attack in the 3rd quarter with a lead of 17-4, with a much bigger defense.

There is no more movement on the Minnesota side, and the defense is also losing mobility. Kishawn George took advantage of the opportunity to fly this 3rd quarter with 12 points and 3 assists, a huge activity on both sides of the court. He is the one who, at the buzzer, brings his team to -12 (94-82) at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The Wizards regained their color, to the extent that they twice came back to within five units (98-93, then 106-101). George even has a chance to bring his team back within one possession…but misses both of his shots. In the next action, Conley is penalized for 3 points. This is the “money time” turning point. Minnesota tightens the screws, and Julius Randle gets the job done: 4 of 6 on shots in the final quarter with non-stop shots. It was Donte DiVincenzo who decisively turned the danger away with a 3-pointer to restore a 10-point lead (116-106), and the Wolves ended up winning 120-109 for their 7th win in eight games.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

End of streak for McDaniels. The Wolves’ 157-game iron man, Jayden McDaniels, was in civilian clothes with a sprained wrist. Minnesota’s “Swiss Army Knife” is having the best season of his career so far, averaging 17.5 points.

Kishon George confirms. Alex Saar was hit in the leg and lost, the Swiss did not hesitate to take responsibility, and was the leader after returning from the locker room and finished with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. These two missed free throws at the start of “money time” ended the Wizards’ comeback.

Rudy Gobert is having fun. With 9 points, 15 rebounds and 3 assists, the French interior was done by Gober, with a big harvest in offensive rebounds. Let’s also remember his blind pass to Naz Reed in the 2nd quarter to extend the deficit over 20 points.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.