Star of the Game
After six consecutive wins, the Magic defeated the Timberwolves in a close loss. Following the All-Star break, Orlando has had the best defense in the NBA, while Minnesota has had the best offense. That being the case, there were a few gems to be found in this loss. The biggest, was Anthony Edwards. With 25 points and five assists, Edwards is finally starting to return to his old self. Hopefully he can make a big splash tonight against Miami.
Biggest Concern
Though he has been on a hot streak lately, Malik Beasley’s shooting was ice-cold against Orlando. After setting a team record for most 3-pointers in a game against Oklahoma City, Beasley shot 2/9 from deep. Unfortunately, the same could be said for D’Angelo Russell, who went 3/8 from down town, but did happen to have seven assists. Slightly better shooting could have turned this loss into a win for the Wolves.
Number of the Night
4. Jaylen Nowell has proved himself to be the Timberwolves’ sixth man of the future. In 12 minutes of play against Orlando, Nowell scored 12 points (shooting 5/5 from the field, including two 3-pointers) with three assists. This kind of production is exactly what Minnesota needs coming off the bench, and as his defense improves, it is easy to see how the young guard can develop into a team leader.
Next Game
Minnesota will take on Miami tonight at 7:00 CST.