Timberwolves coach Chris Finch wanted Edwards to catch the ball in the backcourt, giving him more of a running start toward the rim after he had taken 18 free throws in a rugged afternoon in FedExForum. But that was far too easy for the Grizzlies to cut off, which has been the problem for the Wolves this season.
Anthony Edwards scored 33 points, Julius Randle added 28 and the Minnesota Timberwolves won their fourth straight game by beating the Phoenix Suns 121-113 on Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves are seeking revenge on the Mavericks for last season's Western Conference Finals loss on Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves are 22-10 when Gobert grabs at least nine rebounds, 22-11 when he scores at least eight points, 16-5 when he attempts at least seven shots, 16-8 when he doles out two-plus assists and 6-2 when he blocks three or more shots. Those are the numbers required to be a championship-contending team.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are struggling to build chemistry this season after cornerstone forward Karl-Anthony Towns was traded to New York in the offseason.
At 32, Gobert is amid one of his worst statistical seasons but offered his most forceful performance of the season Saturday against Denver.
Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert reacts to an object nearly hitting him in the first half of Monday's game versus the Hawks.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert and Atlanta Hawks big man Mouhamed Gueye walked away unscathed as a piece of debris fell from the Target Center jumbotron.
Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards is fit for their game against the Utah Jazz on January 30. With teammates Terrence Shannon and Donte DiVincenzo sidelined, Edwards' scoring prowess will be critical.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic had 13 points, four assists and a rebound in the first quarter of Saturday afternoon's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Still, the Wolves outscored the Nuggets by nine points in the opening frame.
Mike Conley is listed as questionable with a right thumb sprain. If the Wolves choose to exercise caution with their 37-year-old point guard on the second night of a back-to-back,