Containing Anthony Edwards in Game 2 was a start, but can Devin Booker and the Suns hit the big shots when it matters?
In a chilling moment at the 3:05 mark in the third quarter during Tuesday night’s 105-93 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves’ guard Anthony Edwards stood tall after hitting a step-back jumper giving the Wolves a seven-point lead.
Anthony Edwards drills a TOUGH jumper over Kevin Durant
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 24, 2024
That seven-point lead, led by the standing ovation from a hungry Wolves crowd itching for their first playoff series victory since 2004, etched the scoreboard at 70-63. The game was over for the Suns at that moment. The Suns failed to make a comeback and steal a game that looked up for grabs for roughly three quarters until Edwards was able to hit, yet again, the biggest shot of the game.
We remember Edward’s outburst in game one, hitting 8-11 from the field, and scoring 18 points in the third quarter. This led to this moment between him and Kevin Durant after finishing off the third with a three.
Anthony Edwards talking to Kevin Durant after burying a three over his head
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 20, 2024
It is unbearable at the moment to think that Edwards might be taking the next step in his career, dismantling the Suns in Game 1, and by hitting a big shot in Game 2 to go up 2-0 in this series. Like it or not, it is currently happening at the hands of a Suns team that is done with its growth spurt and is taking every season on as a ‘title-or-bust’ methodology for the near future.
Edwards finished the third quarter shooting 1-5 from the field and finished the game 3-12 with 15 points. It is a scoresheet that you can toss in the trash, but when the Wolves needed the big shot to sink a Suns team that was desperate for another miss, he hit it. After containing him for most of Game 2, can the Suns match his efforts and hit the big shots to win a must-win game on Friday night?
The defense from Bradley Beal has been incredible, to say the least, when guarding Edwards. Beal has forced Edwards into difficult shots and careless turnovers when on the ball. Shooting 36.4% from the field with only 14 points with Beal guarding him in the series, Ant has turned the ball over seven times within the last two games. Edwards has been having fits when Beal is on coverage.
With Durant in the way of his game stealing shots that I spoke about earlier, the quickness and mobility that Edwards has to get around a longer but slower defender in Durant led to 2-plus minutes of play ending in 10 points with 0 turnovers in the first two. It is a matchup that Edwards will seek out, but a matchup that Beal will try his best to avoid when on the floor.
A young player like Edwards will have his ups and downs from game to game during the playoffs. It might be overwhelming at times and the sure impact from the pace and physical play might take its toll at times. Edwards, currently is not the best player in the series, but has been a game-changer thus far after two games.
On the defensive end, it looks like the Suns can deal with Edward’s hit-or-miss play, matched with Beal’s on-ball defense. But on the other side of the ball, who will step up for the Suns? It has to be Devin Booker.
After Edwards hit his only shot in the third quarter, things, like Booker mentioned below, went downhill fast.
“Just talking to each other, holding each other accountable. We’re all trying to fight out there and so far this series, once it has turned to shit, we’ve kind of separated instead of being together and that’s everybody, top to bottom. We got to figure it out.” Devin Booker #Suns pic.twitter.com/3e90QgNZPS
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 24, 2024
45 playoff games with a finals appearance, Booker is also ready to take the next step by leading a team that is in search of a hand to lead them. Fouling out with 20 points and a loss for words at the end of game two, Booker found himself without an answer for this Wolves team that has made everything very difficult. Booker is also a top-20 player, along with Durant, heading into these playoffs, but both have fallen short in leading the Suns to a victory.
Down 0-2 to the Wolves, can Booker bring back what he originally brought to Phoenix? A purpose? Deep down we know he can match what Edwards will bring for the remainder of this series, but can he become the best player, or will it remain Edwards?