Anthony Edwards speaks after losing game two against the San Antonio Spurs.
After managing to steal game one after the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves looked like they were playing a completely different game in game two, losing, 133-95.
Minnesota's offense struggled in the first half, scoring just 17 points in the first quarter and 18 points in the second quarter, trailing 59-35 at the half. San Antonio scored 35 points in the second quarter alone.
After losing game one, the Spurs came out with a focus and energy that overwhelmed Minnesota. The team generated looks they may have been happy with, but failed to shoot the ball well or finish, turned the ball over too many times, and couldn't stop fouling in the first half.
Anthony Edwards Speaks
After the game, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards assessed what went wrong with his squad.
"We started the game too cool. They came out physical, picking up full court, full of energy. We expected that, but we just came out too flat, that was the main thing," he said.
He clarified a bit, saying, "I wouldn't say we were too comfortable, they were just the more desperate team."
Edwards noted that he told the team after game one that the natural tendency for a road team that steals the first game is to get blown out in game two, and that they couldn't be "too cool" in game two before admitting that they were "too cool."
"I tip my hat to those guys. They came out, they played hard, they were the more desperate team, they wanted it, and we'll see where it goes from here," he said.
Anthony Edwards Struggles
After scoring 18 points off the bench in game one, including 11 in the first quarter to help lead Minnesota to victory, Edwards couldn't find the bottom of the net in game two, especially early.
He shot 1-6 in the first quarter, including 1-4 from three. He went 2-4 in the second quarter, though San Antonio did a better job denying and forcing the ball out of his hands, turning him over twice in the process.
In hs second game back from missing time with a knee hyperextension and bone bruise, Edwards finished with 12 points, three rebounds, no assists, and four turnovers.
He wasn't alone in struggling as the Timberwolves as a team shot just 39% from the field and 30% from three while having more turnovers, 22, than assists, 19.
Minnesota will have to put this game behind them and try to bounce back in game three on Friday.