Edwards scores 45 as Timberwolves beat Heat 131-106 in Antetokounmpo’s Miami debut
Anthony Edwards hit nine three-pointers as Minnesota pulled away from Miami, overcoming 35 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo in his first game for the Heat.
Anthony Edwards scored 45 points and hit nine three-pointers as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Miami Heat 131-106 in their season opener in Miami on Wednesday, October 21, spoiling Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Heat debut despite his 35 points. LaMelo Ball added 21 points in his first game for Minnesota.
Edwards made nine of 17 attempts from beyond the arc, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The Associated Press reported that Minnesota outscored Miami 63-24 on three-pointers and won the rebounding contest 52-34. The gap from long range helped turn a close game into a comfortable opening-night win for the Timberwolves.
How Minnesota pulled away from Miami
A 23-7 Minnesota run that began late in the second quarter and continued early in the third turned a one-point lead into a 78-61 advantage, AP reported. Miami briefly cut the deficit to eight midway through the third, but the Timberwolves pulled away again. The Sun Sentinel reported that Minnesota led 99-81 after three quarters and pushed its advantage to 23 early in the fourth.
Edwards had 21 points by halftime, matching Antetokounmpo’s first-half total. Antetokounmpo scored Miami’s first eight points, the Sun Sentinel reported, and finished 13 for 19 from the field with six rebounds. He later fouled out. His scoring kept Miami within reach early, but it was not enough to offset Minnesota’s shooting and rebounding advantages.
Edwards joins Chamberlain and Jordan in opener record
Edwards scored 41 points in Minnesota’s opener at Portland last season. With another 40-point opener, he joined Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only players to reach that mark in multiple season openers, according to AP. Chamberlain did so four times, from 1959 through 1962, while Jordan did so in 1986, 1989 and 1995.
Minnesota also got 17 points from Jaden McDaniels, 16 from Ayo Dosunmu and 12 from Jonathan Kuminga. Rudy Gobert collected 15 rebounds. For Miami, Bam Adebayo scored 15, while Davion Mitchell had 11 points and 10 assists alongside six turnovers, the Sun Sentinel reported.
The defeat was Miami’s third consecutive loss in a season opener, according to AP. The Sun Sentinel reported that the Heat were due to face the Detroit Pistons at home on Friday before visiting the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
Read in depth: Sports
Manchester United identify possible Carrick replacements before Bournemouth match
Michael Carrick is expected to lead Manchester United on Sunday, but BBC Sport reports that the club has begun identifying possible replacements after its defeat by Como.
Welsh Rugby Union reports £18m loss and presses case for three regions
The governing body says rising costs and weaker matchday spending have deepened its losses as it pursues a reduction in professional clubs.
Sources and context
- Anthony Edwards scores 45, Wolves roll past Heat 131-106 to spoil Giannis' openerAssociated Press, republished by Yahoo Sports
- Giannis’ 35 not enough, as Anthony Edwards’ 45 lead Timberwolves past Heat in openerSouth Florida Sun Sentinel
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.