Wolves show their muscles and crush the Thunder!

Could Wolves have started the game better? We can always do better, but with two award-winning baskets from Anthony Edwards and a defense already in place and effective, the crowd got into the game right away. The intensity is high, Rudy Gobert is included in the attack, and the first quarter is a dream for Chris Finch’s troops (34-22).

The Thunder are subdued, clumsy and have difficulty simply moving the ball. Wolves used stolen balls in the attack, and at the break Anthony Edwards and his gang dominated the game (63-50). Coming back from the locker room, Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo hit the nail on the head on 3-pointers. There is only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who is dangerous and allows Oklahoma City to continue to believe that (96-80).

Which will be the case in the last quarter. Down 7-0 in a matter of seconds, the reigning champion sent a little chill into the room.

But as is often the case tonight, the Wolves have a 3-point answer, Donte DiVincenzo in this case. Both coaches can open their bench in the end and the difference in the end is not that significant (123-111) while Minnesota played a very high quality game and openly dominated the game.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– The wolves did not forget to defend themselves. Chris Finch lamented: this team sometimes forgets to defend while its results depend on its intensity. Against the Thunder, this is perhaps the most striking example. Edwards, Gobert et al put on a pretty big performance, with intensity, desire, rotation, even though they played the day before in Dallas. In the rush, the Thunder significantly lost 16 balls, which turned into 30 points. This matchup can clearly serve as a reminder: when Minnesota defends at this level, very few teams can really hold back.

– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander I’m on my own planet. With 30 points, the MVP had his game, as usual, 119th straight with more than 20 points. However, he was pushed around (five turnovers), especially by the excellent Donte DiVincenzo. But with his baskets, especially in the third quarter, he kept his team more or less close. Alone and facing such a focused Minnesota team, he couldn’t turn the tide.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=ONPrNMb5CVU

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.