The Minnesota Timberwolves ended their regular season with a 125-106 loss to the Phoenix Suns, which is interestingly the team they'll be going up against in the first round of the playoffs. As all of Sunday's games concluded, the Timberwolves took home the Western Conference's third seed while the Suns managed to clinch the sixth spot. For Anthony Edwards, the first order of business moving forward is figuring out how to overcome a Phoenix team that he hasn't beaten the entire season.
“Figure out a way to beat Phoenix, because we ain't been able to do it,” Edwards said, pertaining to the Timberwolves' mindset ahead of the series. (per Zone Coverage's Dane Moore)
Minnesota's recent games with Phoenix
Phoenix is 3-0 against Minnesota this season, with all three games ending in double-digit point differences. Looking at the clashes, the Timberwolves seem to have difficulty containing the Suns' offense. During their first meeting back in November, Phoenix drained 17 three-pointers to carve out the victory. Back on April 5, the Suns used a 15-0 start to lead the entire game. And on Sunday, Phoenix once again sizzled from downtown (16 threes), in addition to forcing 24 turnovers from Minnesota's end.
Nevertheless, Edwards isn't fazed. Asked how high his confidence is, the Timberwolves star made it known that he's ready for the opening round.
“Hell yeah. Hell yeah. They won three games in the regular season — (the) regular season (is) over with now. We got the postseason, so we'll be ready to go,” Edwards added.
One aspect that makes Phoenix a deadly offensive team is their versatility from the one to four positions. With Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen at the one two and three, the Suns play their leading scorer, Kevin Durant, at the four. Out of everyone in the Suns' starting rotation, only Jusuf Nurkic doesn't put the ball on the floor. And to add, any basketball fan would know how the Suns' Big Three (Booker, Beal & Durant) can easily put up points in bunches.
Anthony Edwards is clearly aware of it all, which is why he once again reiterated that the Timberwolves will be ready.
“They play KD at the 4. So, you know, (it) puts us in a lot of rotations. But we'll be ready for it.”
The Timberwolves are still a top team
Regardless, the Timberwolves are still the number three seed for a reason — and it's mainly seen on the defensive side of the ball. Yes, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are prolific scorers, but Minnesota has gelled as a team because of their commitment to stopping opponents from scoring.
The Timberwolves boast a 108.4 defensive rating — the best in the entire league. Out of all the teams, Minnesota allows the fewest opponent points per game (106.5) and the least opponent field goals per game (39.0). The Timberwolves are also top 10 in steals per game (6th, 7.9 SPG) and blocks per game (5th, 6.1 BPG). Their towering frontline of Towns and Rudy Gobert is the reason why the team gives up the fourth-fewest opponent second-chance points (12.7) and the second-least opponent points in the paint (46.1).
Having said that, the Suns haven't faced this Timberwolves squad in a best-of-seven series yet. Phoenix may have won games during the season, but can they overcome the league's best defensive team for four games continuously? Or will Minnesota's smothering defense eventually burn out their fire?
The Timberwolves and the Suns' playoff matchup will be a war of contrasting styles and it won't take long before basketball fans get to witness the upcoming slugfests.
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