NBA: Minnesota dominate the boards to beat Orlando despite quiet night from Edwards

Minnesota did not need a big night from Anthony Edwards to win in Orlando. The Timberwolves prevailed 115–93 on Friday 23 October, taking control of the boards and finding contributors throughout their rotation. They leave Florida with two wins from their two road games there. The Magic, meanwhile, suffer a second defeat in as many games.

A lead built without waiting for Edwards

The Wolves established their advantage in the first quarter, which they won 26–20. Their running game and presence near the basket stopped Orlando from dictating the tempo. Joan Beringer finished a fast break off an Ayo Dosunmu pass to make it 24–13 late in the period.

Minnesota kept up the pressure before the break. A LaMelo Ball pass for an Edwards basket stretched the gap to 57–40 with less than a minute left in the half. Orlando scored the last five points of the second quarter to cut it to 57–45. The Magic were still in the game, but already had twelve points to make up.

Third quarter shuts the door

The response expected from the hosts did not come after the interval. Minnesota won the third period 29–15 and went into the final twelve minutes ahead 86–60. A 17–3 run late in the quarter opened up the gap, with contributions from Ball, Edwards, Beringer, Dosunmu and Trey Lyles. The Wolves were then twenty-six points clear.

Orlando won the final quarter 33–29, without ever getting within ten points. The difference had been made earlier: Minnesota were able to spread the responsibility and protect their lead rather than depend on a string of baskets from their main offensive option.

Gobert, Kuminga and the bench play their part

Edwards finished with 15 points, as did Jaden McDaniels, but made only five of twenty-three shots, including two of nine from three-point range. Minnesota made up for the poor shooting with their energy: 61 rebounds, 22 of them offensive, against 43 and eight for Orlando. The second-chance possessions gave the visitors extra opportunities to score.

Rudy Gobert added 14 points and nine rebounds. Jonathan Kuminga contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists; Ball chipped in 12 points and five assists. The bench also weighed in, with 14 points and nine assists from Dosunmu, 13 points from Terrence Shannon Jr., nine points and nine rebounds from Beringer, and nine points and six rebounds from Lyles.

For the Magic, Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, and Franz Wagner with 18 points. Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs each scored 14 points. Orlando, however, converted only eight of their thirty-nine three-point attempts. For Minnesota, this second win above all confirms an ability to win collectively when Edwards is struggling. Find the match sheet and stats on SNA.