With red eyes, the Wolves dominate the Cavaliers

In an atmosphere filled with emotions after killing the motherkilled by Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant forces, the Wolves recorded their 4th straight win by defeating the Cavaliers 131-122.

To counter the Wolves’ “very high ball,” Kenny Atkinson lined up his 21st different big five of the season with little Craig Porter Jr. to back up Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, who aren’t very tall already. The result is disastrous as this top five dominates from the start against Julio Randle on big nights. Alley-oop, 3-pointers in the first attempt, assists… Wolves take the lead (17-5) and the interior is in all good shots.

In a match of skill, Sam Merrill brings the Cavaliers to life, day and night! For 10 to 15 minutes, we watch Cleveland basketball from last season. There is aggressiveness, mobility, skill, and the Wolves were knocked down like pancakes! The turnovers continued on the Minnesota side, and after regaining the lead at the end of the first quarter (32-31), Cleveland ran away thanks to Evan Mobley’s pick-and-pop and the amazing Craig Porter Jr. (45-37).

The Wolves look for a second wind, which is Donte DiVincenzo on a 3-pointer, then Rudy Gobert on rebounds in the attack that restore the advantage. At the break, the Cavaliers lead by only 4 points (67-63). Anthony Edwards’ last prayer failed.

Randle’s kicks

When we come back from the locker room, we see a copy and paste of the first quarter. Julius Randle is freed and the Wolves go on a 9-0 run to regain control. This time they don’t give up, and Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels take over (89-75). Atkinson takes two timeouts, but nothing changes, and the deficit reaches 20 points (104-84) after Jaylen Clark’s three-pointer.

But as in the first half, Merrill sounded on the attack. After passing the finally aggressive Mitchell, he followed with a tap and then two triples and brought the Cavaliers back to… -4 (121-117). We’ve just entered “money time,” and Edwards is donning his “clutch player” costume. After Rudy Gobert’s screen, he sinks into the defense and despite several defenders scores a very complicated basket. In the back, Merrill answers, still at 3 points, but McDaniels ends the night with a stunning dunk: on the counterattack, he rebounds the ball for himself before the dunk. The crowd is in heaven, and the Wolves win 131-122.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Tribute. The city of Minneapolis is in shock after the murder of Renee Goode, the mother who was killed by an ICE agent while driving a car. Before the meeting, the franchise honored him with a moment of silence, and the atmosphere was very heavy in the room and on the floor.

10,000 points. At 24 years and 156 days, Anthony Edwards became the third youngest player in history to reach 10,000 points, behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant. In NBA history, only seven players have reached this mark before the age of 25.

Address. Even if the performance wasn’t up to par, the Wolves posted one of their best skill-record numbers of the season: 57% shooting, including 53% from 3-point range.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=tFA4RLPkFtE

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; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.