Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves cruise past Wizards
Anthony Edwards scored 35 points, Rudy Gobert finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks, and the Minnesota Timberwolves dominated in a 141-115 blowout of the host Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Playing the second leg of a back-to-back, the Timberwolves led for nearly the duration and by as many as 37 points. They scored at least 33 points in every quarter, setting the tone with a 38-point first period.
Minnesota pulled away with its most dominant quarter coming in the third. Washington briefly pulled to within 13 points early in the period before the Timberwolves erupted for a 21-9 run to end of the quarter.
Washington was coming off one of its best defensive performances of the season, holding Brooklyn to 99 points in the Wizards' previous outing at home on Friday but had no answer on Sunday for Minnesota's interior offense.
The Timberwolves outscored the Wizards in the paint 76-48, more than enough to compensate for Minnesota's 11-of-37 3-point shooting (29.7%). The attack of the lane produced 27 free-throw attempts against 19 for Washington.
While most of the Edwards' teammates struggled from deep, he shot a torrid 6 of 10 from outside. He balanced his hot 3-point shooting touch with 8-of-11 shooting from inside the arc.
Edwards also grabbed six rebounds, dished three assists and his four steals contributed to Minnesota forcing 19 Washington turnovers. Jaden McDaniels, Jaylen Clark and Donte DiVincenzo added to the defensive pressure with three steals each.
Minnesota converted the 19 takeaways into 26 points, doubling Washington's 13 points off of turnovers. The Timberwolves had a 51-35 advantage on the boards.
Julius Randle joined Gobert and Edwards scoring in double-figures with 22 points. McDaniels added 12 to go with his five rebounds and five assists, and Clark chipped in 12 points off the bench.
CJ McCollum led the Wizards with 20 points. Tre Johnson and Corey Kispert each added 13 points and Khris Middleton finished with 10 for Washington, which was unsuccessful in its pursuit to string together three consecutive wins for the first time this season.