Suspense in Minneapolis for this poster between the Wolves and the Sunsbecause we had to wait until the last minute and the final possession to know the winner of this “remake” of the first round of the last playoffs.
A winner who is named in this case Minnesotawhich therefore offers itself Phoenix (120-117) following a buzzer-beater of the victory of Julius Randle (35 points, 7 assists). And this, despite the cardboard of Devin Booker (44 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds) in the absence of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
The Suns shine to start, with an aggressive and skillful Devin Booker, author of 17 points. The Wolves resist as best they can thanks to Julius Randle, but they suffer from their wide defense and their external clumsiness, suddenly finding themselves behind around ten points (31-22).
While Grayson Allen heats up, the former Knicks, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, come together to mitigate his impact, but the return of Booker gives Phoenix some breathing room and the gap becomes comfortable again (64-54). Minnesota is struggling to contain an attack that is unfolding without forcing too much.
Devin Booker on one side, Julius Randle then Anthony Edwards on the other: the All-Stars go blow for blow after the break, but the Suns remain in control, even if the Wolves are getting closer little by little, thanks to a more efficient and inspired attack (90-86). Without Booker, Grayson Allen gets back on track and Minnesota fails to get back together any further. Especially since Booker is back and the Edwards/Randle pair plays intermittently.
Nevertheless, the “run” that changes everything ends up arriving thanks to Anthony Edwards and, in the last minute, it is finally Randle who defeats Phoenix at the buzzer, at 3-points (120-117)!
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Julius Randle, Minnesota hero. Trailing for 47 minutes, Wolves had to wait until the last minute to finally take the lead and, the second time they went ahead, it would be to win. If Anthony Edwards raised his level of play after the break, and particularly in money time to initiate a saving 11-3, it was above all Julius Randle who was the big man of the afternoon for Minny. On the one hand, thanks to his winning basket at the buzzer. On the other hand, thanks to his numerous points scored when the team was struggling in the first half and then in the third quarter.
– Devin Booker catches up, but Phoenix remains in the tough. After two disappointing performances in Sacramento and OKC, Devin Booker recovered well against Minnesota by sending his “season-high” in scoring. Unfortunately, his card was not enough for the Suns, because after being in the lead throughout the match, they cracked in the last four minutes, aligning misses and bad choices with ball in hand. They will notably regret their three missed shots in a row at 117-117, after offensive rebounds, until Julius Randle finished them off on the next possession.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
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