MINNEAPOLIS — The Dallas Mavericks have effectively contained Anthony Edwards in the first two games of the Western Conference Finals. The Timberwolves superstar is averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from 3-point range. While he acknowledges Dallas is consolidating in the paint, he’s turning down too many shots on drives.
“They’re just showing up swarming the gaps, but I’m holding back on a lot of shots, mid-range shots,” Edwards said earlier in the series. “I’m holding back on those shots, but we’re taking open shots, so I’m not going to get stumped.”
Ahead of Game 3, Edwards has vowed not to let the Mavericks’ defense slow him down offensively and said he plans to “take a lot of shots.” A loss would put Minnesota in a tough spot at 3-0 in the series, so there’s no reason to hold back.
“You’re going to see that tonight,” Edwards said. “I’m going to be taking a lot of shots. I’m going to be super aggressive. I’ve never taken more than 16 shots in a game before, so I’m definitely going to be super aggressive.”
Edwards was seen using an oxygen tank in the tunnel during Game 2 of the NBA’s 109-108 loss to the Mavericks on Luka Doncic’s game-winning hit. Edwards acknowledged he’s learning the difficulties of postseason play during the team’s longest streak since he was with the team, but he didn’t do anything that could be called out of the ordinary before Sunday’s game.
“I just learned the hard way,” Edwards said. “The playoffs are tough, but I didn’t do anything special yesterday. I got treatment. Other than that, I just go out there and play.”
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The Timberwolves are trailing the Mavericks 2-0 in the series despite leading about 78% of the games, and Edwards remains confident his team can still win the series, describing previous losses as games where they “let go.”
“I don’t think it’s about experience,” Edwards said. “I think we let them score first both games. We were up by five with a minute left in both games and just gave the game away. Turnovers. Missed layups. Little things like that.”
From the Mavericks’ perspective, Derek Lively II emphasized the need for the team to “score first” to set the tone against motivated opponents.
“We’ve got to come out and throw the first punch,” Lively said, “and when we go out there, we know what to do. We’re going to call it in with what we’ve got, execute and definitely play our best. That’s what’s going to put us on top.”
Historically, the Mavericks are already favored — any team that starts a conference finals series on the road with a 2-0 deficit has gone on to win the series 16-0 — and Dallas would be the first team to find itself in this situation and go on to lose, but nothing is guaranteed.
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