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Timberwolves turn defense into offense in Game 2 win
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Timberwolves turn defense into offense in Game 2 win over Suns

By Sean Keane  |  Last updated 4/23/24

The Minnesota Timberwolves had the NBA's top defense and a middle-of-the-pack offense. Tuesday night, they used their stifling defense to create points.

The Timberwolves forced 19 Phoenix turnovers and scored 31 points off them. Meanwhile, the Suns got just two points off turnovers, a huge difference in their 105-93 win in Game 2. Minnesota went up 2-0 as the series moves to Phoenix for Game 3.

Devin Booker had six of those turnovers — never a good sign — coupled with five assists. He scored 20 points and got to the line, but he managed only 13 field-goal attempts, thanks in part to losing the ball so much.

Booker's counterpart, Anthony Edwards, also had a quiet scoring game, but he made up for shooting 3-of-12 with eight assists, three steals and one impressive block.

The block was so good that Edwards tried to dap up referee Zach Zarba afterward.

It's telling that Minnesota's leading scorer was Jaden McDaniels, a potential All-Defensive Team selection at forward. He had 25 points, with 14 of those points coming within five feet of the rim. But he wasn't afraid to let it fly from deep, giving Minnesota another three points off a turnover.

McDaniels even outscored Kevin Durant, who finished with 18 points and shot 6-of-15. Not only is Gobert deterring drives to the hoop, but McDaniels is shutting down everyone he guards all over the court.

Edwards sounded prophetic in a clip before the series began.

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