The visiting Minnesota Timberwolves can win their fourth game in five tries as they travel to face the reeling Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
With a healthy Anthony Edwards back on the floor, Minnesota pieced together its most complete effort last time out by breezing past the Utah Jazz, 137-97. In his second game back after missing four contests with a strained hamstring, Edwards went for 37 points to lead a Timberwolves team with high expectations through the early part of the season.
“I’m just getting back to being myself,” Edwards said. “I’ve been out for like a week, so that first game back was going to be a little iffy, but I’m just trying to get back to myself. … I can get 40 (points) in my sleep, so I’ll be good.”
Minnesota totaled a season high in points and field goal percentage (56.8%) in the win. The Wolves hopes that’s a trend that will continue against the Western Conference’s worst scoring defense in Sacramento, which allows 121.7 points allowed per game.
“There’s a comfort level and a trust level on the offense right now,” said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. “(Assistant coach) Pablo (Prigioni) is doing an outstanding job emphasizing more cutting and timely cuts. Julius (Randle) becoming comfortable in his role in the offense is huge. Also just stressing pace, because it’s always been the case that when we play with pace, it quickens our decision-making.”
Fresh off a 19-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double, Randle leads Minnesota with 25.9 points and 6.3 assists per game while Edwards adds 25.8 points per game.
The Kings have dropped five of seven, including a 132-101 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Sacramento allowed 70 first-half points and 60 points in the paint, an area of growing concern for head coach Doug Christie.
“It’s just unacceptable,” Christie said. “We’ve got to make sure we can contain the basketball. That’s first and foremost. And then 60 points in the paint is way too many. We must be better and we will.”
In what Christie describes as a ‘logjam’, Sacramento has a number of wing guards who are splitting playing time off the bench. As an example, Keon Ellis, who shot 43.3% on 3-point attempts in 80 games last year, played just 12 minutes on Friday.
“From night to night, it could be different,” Christie said. “It’s not going to be any easier when we get Keegan (Murray) back, but it’s a good problem to have. Keon is a pro, so I know he’ll be prepared. I think the correct rotation is going to be whoever is playing defense. It’s tough because all of these guys have worked extremely hard. It’s tough, but at the same time, that’s part of the job.”
Ellis is splitting time with fellow reserves Devin Carter, Nique Clifford and Malik Monk. Murray is recovering from thumb surgery, but Christie said “it will be a second” before he returns.
Star big man Domantas Sabonis (ribs) has missed the past two games and his status for Sunday has yet to be firmed up.
Zach LaVine leads the Kings with 25.1 points per game while DeMar DeRozan averages 20.7 points.
