Minnesota did not make any details once morest the defending champion, deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo, hit in the knee. Led by a whole collective around the Russell-Edwards-Towns trio, the Wolves rolled up to bend Milwaukee following three quarters.
Wolves took advantage of Anthony Edwards’ heat stroke to take control. The back first signed 12 points in a row, with two 3-point baskets, two drives and a shot from mid-range (18-17). Karl-Anthony Towns then took over (11 points in the first quarter) to accentuate a gap barely reduced by 3-pointers from Pat Connaughton and Wes Matthews (34-28).
It was then the turn of Naz Reid to plant 12 points in a row, punctuating his demonstration with a 3-pointer (48-38). But Milwaukee did not give up, and with the help of Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen, Khris Middleton was able to keep his team alive (53-48).
The 3-pointers of the Nwora-Connaughton pair were not enough to prevent Minnesota from escaping just before the break, following a 3-pointer from D’Angelo Russell and a basket from Malik Beasley (68-56) .
The Wolves restarted very strongly following the break, under the impetus of an Anthony Edwards taken from a new heat stroke, 3/3 from afar (82-65). Brook Lopez responded for a while, then Milwaukee ended up collapsing in the face of repeated attacks from the locals, led by the Russell-Beasley-Prince-Vanderbilt quartet (92-69).
Despite all the efforts of the Bucks, the Wolves remained euphoric in attack, even taking the opportunity to make the show between the “windmill” of Anthony Edwards and the alley-oop of the latter for Jarred Vanderbilt (116-96). Winners 138-119, Karl-Anthony Towns teammates can continue to aim for the Top 6.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Wolves living up to their reputation. On a good run since the beginning of the month (10 wins in 11 games), Chris Finch’s troops have once once more demonstrated their ability to raise their level of play once morest the big teams in the league. Even if Giannis Antetokounmpo was not there tonight, Minnesota had already won once morest the defending champion this season, and hung on his list of the best teams in the NBA, with the exception of the Suns.
– A fire attack. Minnesota also confirmed its status as a crazy attack, the only one to average more than 115 points per game, with a collective that once once more ran at full speed. We will particularly remember the 30 assists and this insolent exterior address throughout the meeting to finish at 22/47 behind the arc (46.8%).
– Two expulsions in the first quarter. The meeting suddenly degenerated following a clash between Taurean Prince and Serge Ibaka in the rebound fight, to which Patrick Beverley came to add his two cents. As the two players were regarding to end their altercation, the Wolves guard gathered momentum to push Ibaka in the back, before being pushed in turn by George Hill. Upon arrival, Patrick Beverley was expelled, as was George Hill on the Milwaukee side. Serge Ibaka got away with a technical foul.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Anthony Edwards. The full-back was very enterprising at first in defense and was rewarded with three interceptions. In attack, he quickly got going, from the first quarter, before aligning his 3/3 3-pointer on the way back from the locker room which helped put Milwaukee KO. The final bouquet, his “windmill” in the last act to finish at 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
✅⛔ Khris Middleton. The winger was expected to take the lead in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He played his part in the first half before sinking at the same time as his team on returning from the locker room (15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists).
⛔ The Portis-Ibaka pair. We might also expect more from the interior sector. If Brook Lopez made a good figure, Bobby Portis and Serge Ibaka lived a nightmare in attack, respectively at 4 points at 2/10 in shooting and 5 points at 1/11.
THE FOLLOWING
Minnesota (42-30) : the Wolves are expected in Dallas on Monday night.
Milwaukee (44-27) : the Bucks host Chicago on Tuesday night.
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