Anthony Edwards takes charge as Timberwolves blow out OKC in Game 3

After getting punked twice in Oklahoma City Minnesota s season was on the line Saturday at Target Center Event of the Western Conference finals wasn t only a must-win it was a must-set-a-tone The Timberwolves had to remind the world and frankly themselves that they are a talented physical relentless collection of professionals Who better to deliver the message than Anthony Edwards The superstar guard powered Minnesota to a - conquest over the Thunder as the Wolves pulled within - in their best-of-seven series Championship is set for p m Monday in Minneapolis Yes Edwards scored points in the first quarter veritably outscoring the Thunder as a whole in that frame More critical he was tenacious in every aspect of the challenge His defense was harassing out on the perimeter producing a number of steals that led to highlight finishes in transition He was a monster on the glass even nabbing an offensive board off a Rudy Gobert missed free throw Offensively Edwards definitively started to hit the step-in -pointers that have become a trademark of this season and Oklahoma City has left available with its drop pick-and-roll coverage Edwards came out throwing haymakers When your best sportsman exerts his dominance others feel more confident to fulfill their roles Suddenly the -pointers of everyone else started to fall Mike Conley Nickeil Alexander-Walker Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo all started raining down triples with confidence The Wolves snapped out of a shooting slump by going for from -point range in the win Timberwolves coach Chris Finch went to Terrence Shannon Jr in the first-half rotation and the rookie responded with nine points in four minutes of action in the first half alone finishing with for the challenge Minnesota also shifted to a more aggressive perimeter defense that held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in check and prevented Oklahoma City from ever getting secure offensively Minnesota led by after the first frame at halftime and was never threatened by the top-seeded Thunder Edwards had points nine rebounds and six assists He was everywhere which was exactly where he requirements to be if Minnesota is to win four games out of five against this Thunder organization One down three to go Related Articles From can t play to can t be stopped How Chet Holmgren realized Larry Suggs vision With season on the line do Timberwolves need to go small Frederick The Timberwolves know how to respond They ve seen it firsthand Timberwolves blitzed again in third quarter to fall down - in West Finals Jace Frederick Will Anthony Edwards pull back if NBA fines continue