The Minnesota Timberwolves escaped New Orleans with a 149-142 victory over the Pelicans in overtime on Tuesday, but it was hardly a convincing effort. Their defensive performance bordered on being downright concerning as they allowed a season-high in scoring and had posted their own season-high on the offensive end to give themselves a chance.

The Pelicans entered Tuesday’s game with a 3-15 record, with tip-off set for mere hours after 2019 No. 1 overall pick and once-generational prospect Zion Williamson was again ruled out for an extended period of time due to an injury. Despite all of this, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards made it clear that anyone can beat anyone in today’s NBA at any time. 

“I don't really think the record really matters,” Edwards said. “I mean, it's an NBA team. Any given night, they can shoot the ball at a 70 percent clip from the 3-point line. You can play as good of a defense as you want, and they still can make a bunch of shots.”

Still, Edwards was reluctant to give the now 16-loss Pelicans too much credit before putting the onus on himself and his teammates for not being adequately prepared to face a team that was clearly desperate for a win. 

“I mean, that's not really what happened tonight.  We weren't really ready. But, yeah, they're an NBA team, man. I feel like at the end of the day, everybody has pride. They came out there and played hard today."

Edwards scored 44 points in the win and 34 in the second half alone and did so despite seeing a healthy diet of double-teams throughout the game. It’s no secret that the one true foil to Edwards’ game over the years is putting two on-ball defenders on him, but Tuesday’s performance proves that Edwards is figuring out the mental aspects of breaking the double.

“Honestly, it's just me trying to be aggressive and always looking to score,” Edwards said. “(Double-teams) kind of like take my aggression away because it's like I'm trying to find out what to do. But (coach Finch) did a great job of countering that with different plays and different sets.”

In terms of how the Timberwolves are working to get Edwards open in those scenarios, the franchise player explained that it’s mostly in the pacing and the movement.

“We're trying to play quicker.” Edwards said. “If I come off the screen, go right away. If Dante sets me a peel, which we’re starting to do more and more, just attack the peel right away and then go and get to my spot. If I'm going to pull up, if I'm going to shoot the three."

"I've got to get my shots off early because if I don't, they're going to take the ball out of my hand and trap it.”

The Timberwolves return to action on Thursday when they see the Pelicans again in New Orleans.