MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards showcased an impressive performance with nine successful 3-pointers, contributing a total of 37 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a convincing victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, winning 127-102 on Friday evening.
Edwards’ nine 3-point shots came from 15 attempts, falling just one short of his career best. This commendable outing followed a strong showing against the Bulls, where he scored 33 points. In addition to his scoring, Edwards recorded six rebounds and five assists, leading the Timberwolves to establish dominance early in the match against the Trail Blazers.
Julius Randle added 22 points for Minnesota, while Rudy Gobert contributed with eight points, 15 rebounds, and three blocked shots as the Timberwolves celebrated their third consecutive win.
Scoot Henderson topped the scoring for the Trail Blazers with 16 points, with Anfernee Simons contributing 14 points, and Robert Williams III scoring 13 points in the effort.
In the context of the game, the Trail Blazers were in a challenging situation, playing their eighth match across seven different cities in just 13 days, a factor that likely impacted their performance. Following a loss to San Antonio just the night before, the Blazers struggled, trailing by as much as 27 points in the second quarter. However, there were signs of improvement in health as Williams made his debut for the season, and Shaedon Sharpe returned to action for his second game of the year.
The Timberwolves, standing third in the NBA in 3-point shooting, displayed exceptional accuracy from long range once again, as they set a season high with 22 successful 3-pointers from 50 attempts.
A pivotal moment of the game arose when the Blazers opened the third quarter with four quick points, narrowing the Timberwolves’ lead to nine. However, Mike Conley responded effectively by executing a runner, followed by Edwards sinking two 3-pointers in consecutive possessions, increasing Minnesota’s lead to 72-55.
A notable statistical highlight was the Trail Blazers’ inability to score during the first 5:12 of the game, where they missed 11 field-goal attempts. This offensive drought allowed the Timberwolves to jump out to a 10-0 lead, which eventually ended when Simons netted a long baseline jumper right as the shot clock was close to expiring.
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers will return to their home court to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, while the Timberwolves will host the Miami Heat on the same day.