Minnesota has a few clunkers on its resume against cellar dwellers this season, but it was evident early in its bout against Utah that Sunday would not produce another.
Anthony Edwards scored 21 points in the first quarter, and the Wolves scored 26 of the game’s first 35 points as they blew out Utah, 128-102, at Target Center.
Utah put together a run in the second quarter to get within four, but that was as the depleted Jazz (15-53) — the last-place team in the West and without numerous rotational pieces Sunday — would get. A 12-2 run put Minnesota back up 14, and the Wolves never looked back en route to their eighth straight victory.
“I loved our start. It’s what we asked the guys to do, defensively more than offensively. That’s where I thought we were really good, and we turned it into a lot of really good offense,” Wolves coach Chris Finch told reporters. “We did a good job of regrouping after we lost focus for a minute. … Couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Minnesota trailed 3-2 on Sunday, and then never again. It led by as many as 31 points on a night where it produced 66 points in the paint and turned Utah over 22 times.
Here are takeaways from Minnesota’s blowout victory, which was career win No. 200 for Wolves coach Chris Finch:
Edwards explodes
Minnesota’s star guard has been known to mail in the occasional contest against a less-than-impressive foe, but a couple years ago, Finch pitched the idea of mass scoring outputs available for Edwards if he put his pedal down against teams that didn’t have the aptitude to deter him.
That theory came to fruition Sunday, as the guard had the dominant first quarter and maintained his production throughout in his 41-point showing. That’s Edwards’ seventh 40-plus point game of the season. Four of those have come against teams currently six-plus games below .500 — Utah, Chicago, Washington and Phoenix. That Edwards is willing to set a tone of aggression helps Minnesota avoid bad losses, which it can’t afford in the tight Western Conference.
Consistent McDaniels
Jaden McDaniels was again excellent in a number of ways. He scored 20 points to go with 12 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. He tied Edwards in plus-minus Sunday, with Minnesota outscoring Utah by 31 points when he was on the floor.
This is the new norm for the 24-year-old defensive stopper, who quickly is living up to his potential as a two-way wing. In the past, McDaniels’ offensive prowess has only presented itself in spurts. But he’s been as consistent as they come of late, even after Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle returned to the lineup — might have figured to bump McDaniels back down the proverbial pecking order on offense.
Over his past 14 games, McDaniels has scored 13-plus points on 12 occasions. Sunday marked his sixth 20-plus point game in that span and his fifth double-double.
“He’s becoming an ascending player,” Finch said. “Some nights he’s our two or three, it doesn’t really matter. He finds ways to impact the game. … He’s just playing with so much confidence. Even if the ball doesn’t go in, he’s still ready to make the play when it does happen.”
Clark the disruptor
Jaylen Clark finished with three steals in 17 minutes as he saw his role grow with veteran Mike Conley resting. The guard not only gives Minnesota (40-29) another perimeter defensive stopper, but he has demonstrated the ability to cause chaos in the backcourt with his thievery anytime the opponent gets sloppy bringing the ball up the court.
Those are the type of momentum-inducing plays that can turn a game, or, as was the case Sunday, simply keep the good times rolling.
“They’re huge,” Finch said. “They’re momentum plays, they’re energy plays, their backbreaking plays a lot of times.”
Rest up
Edwards played 31 minutes, but no one else was north of 27. That’s critical for Minnesota considering it hosts Indiana, a playoff team in the East, on Monday in Minneapolis. Minnesota sat Conley on Sunday for rest purposes. Pair that with the minimal minute loads players took on against Utah, and the Wolves should be in a good spot against the Pacers — even on the second half of a back to backs.
“Didn’t have to burn through a lot of guys’ minutes tonight unnecessarily,” Finch said, “which is a sign of a good, professional win.”
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