Anthony Edwards speaks with confidence, particularly on the subject of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Contemporary off locking down the Western Convention’s sixth playoff seed with a 116-105 win over Utah, the Timberwolves star shared his ideas on the postseason with agency perception.
“Playoffs is for us as a result of we play bodily protection, we a little bit handsy, so we needs to be good,” Edwards stated Sunday evening, his satisfaction in avoiding the play-in match evident in his voice.
His religion in himself and his group is backed by outcomes. Edwards completed the common season because the NBA’s high 3-point shooter with 320 makes, edging out Malik Beasley (319) and Stephen Curry (311). His capturing has been a game-changer for Minnesota’s offense, giving the group a strong weapon heading into the playoffs.
The win towards Utah offered Minnesota 5 days to arrange earlier than dealing with the Lakers on April 19. For a younger group with championship aspirations, this preparation time is invaluable, particularly after their earlier playoff disappointments.
Discussing the duty at hand, head coach Chris Finch mirrored on the group’s previous play-in sport towards Denver and the way pleased the group is to keep away from one other.
“Once we performed Denver a pair years in the past within the play-in, we bought walloped within the first sport as a result of we have been mentally and bodily spent,” Coach Chris Finch recalled. “So this break is basically helpful.”
Edwards is feeling good, too, as he believes the Timberwolves have the expertise wanted to make waves.
“You bought to be in actually good condition to go deep into the postseason and be capable to have an effect on the sport on each side of the ball,” Edwards defined.
The Timberwolves are heading into the postseason on a excessive, having gained 21 of their final 25 video games with Julius Randle within the lineup. The additions of Randle and Donte DiVincenzo helped spark a giant late-season push for Minnesota, although it took a while for every part to click on.
“They have been nice. Studying on the fly,” Edwards stated of his new teammates. “We attempt to inform these two on a regular basis, do not strive to slot in. We’ll strive to slot in round y’all.”
What makes this Timberwolves group completely different is how they’ve weathered adversity via inside development somewhat than exterior adjustments. Each Edwards and Finch highlighted this level, with Edwards noting, “Finch stated an ideal factor: the entire 12 months we did not commerce anyone, we did not fireplace any coaches, we figured it out upon ourselves.”
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Finch additionally expressed pleasure within the group’s evolution, noting that everybody figured it out collectively.
“Tremendous pleased with their physique of labor this 12 months. They discovered who they wanted to be as a group. We nonetheless have lots in entrance of us, however credit score to them. It mattered to them to determine it out, and so they did.”
The upcoming sequence towards the Lakers presents an interesting problem. Whereas the Timberwolves have momentum, Los Angeles brings playoff expertise and star energy. Edwards appeared unfazed by the matchup, sustaining his concentrate on Minnesota’s strengths.
“I like the best way we’re taking part in,” he assessed. “The protection could possibly be a little bit higher, but it surely comes and goes.”
Coach Finch believes the group’s playoff expertise will repay when it issues most.
“We should always really feel snug within the ambiance,” Finch stated, emphasizing the collective effort required. “It is a group effort all the best way, 1-18.”
Sunday evening’s vital victory demonstrated, the Timberwolves perceive what’s at stake within the postseason.
“We have been in a position to deal with enterprise,” Edwards stated.
With the common season behind them and per week to arrange, the Timberwolves now flip their consideration to the Lakers. The trail is obvious, the belief is powerful, the stakes are excessive, and the mindset stays regular. For a group that is grown collectively, battled via challenges, and located its chemistry from inside, the subsequent chapter begins the place it issues most: the playoffs.