On Monday night, Anthony Edwards outperformed Jayson Tatum and led the Timberwolves to a 114-109 overtime victory against the Celtics. Edwards seized control of the game in the final minutes, leaving the Celtics struggling to find a way to stop the 22-year-old star. This performance shed light on broader issues within the Celtics team.
In addition to his offensive prowess, the fourth-year guard also made a significant impact on the defensive end, particularly during overtime when he stole the ball from Tatum, who had the Celtics in a two-point lead with less than four minutes left in the game.
Edwards shared his thoughts with reporters, mentioning how Tatum had bested him at the end of the game and had engaged in some trash talk during the jump ball at the start of overtime. Edwards conveyed his determination by saying, “I’m coming again.” Fortunately, Tatum attempted to isolate Edwards, who responded by showcasing his defensive skills, even though he had five fouls. Edwards acknowledged Tatum’s greatness as one of the league’s best players.
Edwards’ defensive efforts played a crucial role in establishing Minnesota as the top defensive team in the NBA, with their defensive unit successfully containing the league’s highest-scoring offense.
Rudy Gobert expressed his excitement about watching the team’s performance and highlighted the moments when Edwards willingly took on the challenge of guarding Jayson Tatum, effectively locking him down multiple times during the game. Gobert emphasized that it’s these defensive challenges that truly excite him and elevate the team to a higher level. While he appreciates the shots and offensive plays, Gobert believes that the willingness to step up defensively is what sets their team apart and makes them a stronger contender.
In the game, Jayson Tatum finished with 32 points, making 12 of 22 field goals and hitting 2 of 8 three-point attempts. On the other hand, Anthony Edwards had a standout performance, scoring 38 points by making 15 of 25 field goals, including 2 of 8 from beyond the arc.
The defeat served as a reality check for the Celtics, and they aim to bounce back when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
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