Timberwolves Vs Heat
Timberwolves Vs Heat Livestream
**Anthony Edwards’ 3-Point Surge Powers Timberwolves’ Offense as They Face Miami Heat**
Anthony Edwards has been on fire from beyond the arc this season, and as long as he maintains this hot streak, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ star guard is determined to keep firing from deep. Edwards' exceptional shooting performance has been a driving force behind the Timberwolves' success in recent games, and he will look to keep it going as Minnesota hosts the Miami Heat in Minneapolis on Sunday. The Timberwolves are aiming to extend their winning streak to four games, having secured victories over the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, and Portland Trail Blazers.
“I really can’t explain it,” Edwards shared when asked about his outstanding 3-point shooting. “I’m not shocked or anything because I work so hard on my trey ball. It’s like, ‘Here we go, this is what was supposed to happen.’ Hopefully, it will keep going that way.”
So far, Edwards’ efforts have paid off in a big way, and he’s become a key contributor to Minnesota's recent success. Against the Portland Trail Blazers, Edwards scored a remarkable 37 points and hit 9 of 15 shots from beyond the 3-point line. This impressive performance came even though he sat out the fourth quarter with the Timberwolves holding a commanding lead.
Through the first nine games of the season, Edwards has already knocked down 50 3-pointers, shooting an eye-popping 48.1 percent from deep, setting a new career high. His shooting efficiency and volume have played a pivotal role in helping the Timberwolves operate with greater offensive fluidity.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has praised Edwards' shooting and its impact on the offense. "It makes the floor huge," Finch explained. "He’s got great range. He’s taking them in the flow of the offense. He’s reading the coverages in pick-and-rolls really well right now. He’s playing at a high level." Edwards’ 3-point shooting has allowed Minnesota to stretch the defense, creating more open looks for his teammates and helping the team build offensive momentum.
On the other side, the Miami Heat come into this game looking to regain their footing after a recent slump. The Heat have dropped three consecutive games, including losses to the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets. Miami is coming off a 135-122 loss in Denver on Friday night, a game in which Tyler Herro led the team with 24 points. However, the Heat were severely undermanned, with superstar Jimmy Butler playing only seven minutes before injuring his right ankle. Butler scored just two points before exiting, and he will not be available for Sunday’s game.
"It's always next-man-up mentality," said Herro, reflecting on the team’s need to adjust without their star player. "We’ve dealt with injuries and different guys being out, me being one of them. It’s always next-man-up mentality." Despite the setback, Herro’s words highlight the Heat’s resilience and their mindset to continue battling, even in the absence of key players like Butler.
Butler, at 35 years old, has been a central figure for the Heat this season, averaging 16.1 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. His injury is a significant blow to the team, but the Heat will now look to other players to step up in his absence, especially in the defensive department, where the team has struggled in recent outings. During their three-game losing streak, Miami has allowed 111, 115, and 135 points, respectively, underscoring their defensive issues.
Duncan Robinson, a key contributor on both ends of the floor for the Heat, expressed the need for the team to improve on the defensive side. “We’ve got to figure it out,” Robinson said. “This group has got to figure it out. We’ve had some good stretches defensively, but we’ve got to learn how to win. We’ve got guys who’ve done it before, so it’s not going to come automatically.”
While Miami searches for a defensive solution, the Timberwolves also place significant importance on their defensive efforts, led by veteran center Rudy Gobert. Gobert has been a dominant force on the boards and in the paint, providing Minnesota with a reliable presence on the defensive end. In the Timberwolves’ victory over the Bulls on Friday, Gobert surpassed the 9,000-rebound mark for his career, further cementing his legacy as one of the best rebounders in the league.
“Nine thousand rebounds, it’s cool,” Gobert said, reflecting on the achievement. “It makes me just sit back and realize the journey… I’m still on the way. I’m still working every day. We’ll see how many I get when it’s all over.”
Gobert’s rebounding prowess has been a crucial component of Minnesota’s defensive identity, and his presence on both ends of the floor will be pivotal as the Timberwolves look to extend their win streak. Alongside Gobert, Minnesota’s overall team defense has been solid, making them a formidable opponent for the Heat as they look to bounce back from their struggles.
In their two meetings last season, the Timberwolves were able to get the better of the Heat in both encounters. On October 28, 2023, Minnesota secured a 106-90 victory at home, and later, on December 18, they triumphed 112-108 in Miami. The Timberwolves will look to maintain their dominance over the Heat and continue their upward trajectory with another strong performance on Sunday.
As the Timberwolves head into this matchup, the focus will be on Edwards’ continued hot shooting and Gobert’s defensive contributions. For the Heat, the absence of Butler looms large, but their “next-man-up” mentality and focus on defensive improvement will be key as they attempt to break their losing streak and get back on track.
The Timberwolves, buoyed by Edwards’ scorching shooting, will aim to extend their winning streak and keep their momentum rolling as they prepare for another challenge in the form of the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, Miami will look to regroup and find a way to play more consistently, especially without their star player. The game promises to be an intriguing matchup, with both teams hoping to achieve the necessary balance on both ends of the floor to secure a much-needed victory.
