Minnesota banks on Edwards & Reid to snap Miami’s win streak

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Minnesota Timberwolves doused Miami’s Heat, 125-115, and ended their four-game winning streak during an inter-conference duel in the ongoing NBA regular season on Jan. 4, 2025.

Fresh off a tough loss against the Atlanta Hawks, the Timberwolves vented their ire on the Heat, behind huge offensive performances from Anthony Edwards and former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid.

Minnesota struck first as they mounted an early double-digit lead in the first quarter, led by Julius Randle, who feasted inside the foul-plagued frontcourt rotation of the Heat.

Just when the Timberwolves thought they could steamroll their way by dumping the ball in the shaded lane through a series of high-low plays, the Heat answered back with their signature mixed zone defense midway through the second quarter.

From a 12-point deficit, Miami quickly pulled to within a deuce and even retook the advantage off a Norman Powell three-pointer at the 6:55 mark of the third frame.

However, the Heat only had a brief period tasting the lead, as they were met by an avalanche of falling baskets from the 1-2 punch of Edwards and Reid.

The duo began to operate at the five-minute mark of the third, with Edwards kicking off Minnesota’s resurgence with several isolation plays off cross-mismatches generated from their pin-down switches.

In just a span of two minutes, Edwards tallied eight straight points that helped Minnesota retake the momentum heading into the fourth and final frame.

Reid then picked up where Edwards left off as he re-entered the game piping hot to start the fourth quarter with back-to-back drained triples.

From a stagnant third quarter, the Timberwolves reverted to their swing pass action, which freed Reid up several times in the left elbow, backstopped by perfectly executed pick-and-pop plays.

In the blink of an eye, Minnesota’s offensive mayhem steered them to a 21-point cushion — their biggest of the game — which the Heat failed to trim in the remaining five minutes of the final canto.

Aside from Edwards and Reid’s offensive masterclass, unsung heroes Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo stepped up when the Timberwolves needed them the most, defensively.

McDaniels held the fort for Minnesota underneath, as his length neutralized the scoring of Powell, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins, while DiVincenzo manned the perimeter and made life hard for Davion Mitchell, Miami’s primary ball handler.

Edwards wrapped up Minnesota’s bounce-back win with a game-high 33-point performance built from an efficient 10-of-19 shooting from the field, alongside five assists and three rebounds.

Meanwhile, Reid produced 29 markers in just 25 minutes of playing time, derived from four made three-pointers, four boards, three dimes, and two blocks.

Randle, who carried the scoring load for the Timberwolves in the first half, finished with a double-double of 23 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

The Timberwolves will look to sustain their momentum today as they take on the Washington Wizards as part of their long road schedule in the Eastern Conference.