Chris Finch turns the warmth on Anthony Edwards and Timberwolves for “diabolical” mistake in Game 1 loss

With Steph Curry lacking lots of the night time, Game 1 used to be ripe for the taking — however the Minnesota Timberwolves let the chance slip, falling flat at house in a 99-88 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Minnesota’s offense faltered all sport lengthy, as they shot a brutal 17.2% from 3(5-for-29), grew to become the ball over 16 occasions and not discovered any constant rhythm. Anthony Edwards led the group with 23 issues, however he struggled early, going 0-for-8 within the first part and scoring only one level by way of halftime.

In the postgame presser, Timberwolves trainer Chris Finch singled out one obtrusive factor: deficient transition execution.

“Our transition decision making was diabolical,” the trainer mentioned (consistent with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).

Even although the Timberwolves held a 10-6 edge in fastbreak issues, they did not convert the ones probabilities into simple buckets. That used to be a shocking building, as they ranked 3rd within the playoffs all over the primary spherical with 16.0 fastbreak issues consistent with sport.

Interestingly, each groups made the similar selection of box targets — 34 — with Golden State taking 87 pictures to Minnesota’s 86. But the important thing distinction got here from past the arc: the Warriors knocked down 18 3s, whilst the Timberwolves attached on simply 5.

Julius Randle completed with 18 issues on a cold 4-for-11 taking pictures. Jaden McDaniels added 12 issues on 12 pictures, and Rudy Gobert used to be held to 9 issues and 11 rebounds.

Naz Reid introduced some existence off the bench, striking up 19 issues on an effective 8-for-14 taking pictures clip.

Chris Finch says Timberwolves’ taking pictures struggles ‘start with Anthony Edwards’

Anthony Edwards couldn’t discover a rhythm early, and his quiet first part — the place he had only one level — gave the Warriors the entire momentum, letting them take a 44-31 halftime lead.

Timberwolves trainer Chris Finch mentioned the group’s power dipped together with Edwards’ self belief.

“It starts with Anthony,” he mentioned (consistent with McMenamin). “You could see the light go out for a little while.”

Edwards used to be a pressure within the first spherical in opposition to the Lakers, averaging 26.8 issues, 8.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists whilst taking pictures 42.0% general and 33.3% from deep. But in Game 1, even after a overdue push, he ended up at 40.9% from the sector and simply 20.0% from deep.

The Timberwolves will now glance to bop again on their house flooring in Game 2, set for Thursday.