Anthony Edwards Scores 45 as Wolves Spoil Giannis’ Heat Debut
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first game with the Miami Heat was a big night at Kaseya Center, but Anthony Edwards made sure it wasn’t a happy one. Edwards scored 45 points on Wednesday as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat Miami 131-106 in the season opener for both teams.
Edwards shot 16-of-29 from the field, made nine of his 17 3-point attempts and grabbed 10 rebounds. He went to the bench for good with 3:51 left and Minnesota ahead by 28.
Edwards Joins Chamberlain and Jordan
The performance put Edwards in rare company. He is now the third player in NBA history with more than one 40-point game in a season opener, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. His 45 points were also the most ever by a Timberwolves player in a season opener, and it was the 125th 30-point game of his career.
He had help from his new backcourt partner. LaMelo Ball, who came to Minnesota from Charlotte in a June trade that sent Naz Reid to the Hornets, scored 21 points with five 3-pointers and six assists in his Timberwolves debut. Jaden McDaniels added 17 points, and Rudy Gobert pulled down 15 rebounds.
Minnesota outshot Miami badly from deep, making 21 3-pointers to the Heat’s eight.
Giannis Shines in a Losing Debut
Antetokounmpo, acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster trade in June, heard MVP chants from the Miami crowd early. He gave the fans plenty to cheer for, scoring 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting with six rebounds.
His night wasn’t perfect. He airballed a free throw and was called for a flagrant foul after his elbow hit Terrence Shannon Jr. in the head on a drive. He left the game for good with about seven minutes to play.
Bam Adebayo added 15 points for Miami. Andrew Wiggins scored 11, and Davion Mitchell had 11 points and 10 assists. Klay Thompson scored 10 in his first game with the Heat.
How Minnesota Pulled Away
Minnesota started hot, making 11 of its first 14 shots on the way to a 27-19 lead after the first quarter. Edwards and Antetokounmpo each had 21 points by halftime.
Miami fought back in the second quarter and took a brief 50-49 lead on a Bobby Portis Jr. 3-pointer. The Timberwolves answered right away. Shannon hit two corner 3s, Edwards turned a steal into a dunk and Ball scored on a drive and added two free throws. Minnesota led 69-59 at halftime.
The third quarter settled it. Edwards and Ball each hit a 3 in the first 2½ minutes, and another Edwards 3 made it 78-61. Miami never got close again.