Defeat! Magic's Five Tigers Score 64+21, Randle with 23+10, Edwards Sets Record, Western No. 7 Changes Hands
On January 10, 2025, Beijing time, the 22-win and 16-loss Magic hosted the 19-win and 17-loss Timberwolves. The Magic were missing Banchero, Wagner brothers, and Suggs, suffering a significant loss in combat power. For the Timberwolves, this was a game they needed to win. Currently on a two-game winning streak, could the Timberwolves seize the opportunity? Conley continued to come off the bench for the Timberwolves, with the starting lineup being Edwards + DiVincenzo + McDaniels + Randle + Gobert, while the Magic started with Anthony + Pope + Sustan + Silva + Bitadze.
In the first quarter, Gobert scored 4 points in a row, followed by a 7-point response from Pope and Bitadze. Randle made a layup and Edwards hit two consecutive three-pointers, giving the Timberwolves a 12-7 lead. Silva and Anthony scored, but Edwards and Randle responded strongly, maintaining an 8-point lead for the Timberwolves. Isaac and Bitadze scored, while Reed responded with consecutive points, keeping the gap at 8 points. After a timeout, both sides went nearly three minutes without scoring. Randle hit a three-pointer, and the first quarter ended with the Timberwolves leading 29-18.
In the second quarter, Silva, Carter, and Blake reduced the deficit to 6 points. Randle and Walker extended it to 10 points. Howard and Silva reduced it back to 6 points. Gobert and Edwards scored, while Sustan, Pope, and Anthony scored consecutively, allowing the Magic to tie the score. However, Edwards, DiVincenzo, Conley, and Randle went on a 12-0 run, creating a 12-point gap. Howard made a jumper, and Conley hit a three-pointer, ending the half with the Timberwolves leading 52-39.
In the third quarter, Bitadze made a layup, to which DiVincenzo responded with a three-pointer, extending the Timberwolves' lead to 14 points. Anthony and Sustan reduced the gap to 8 points, but DiVincenzo and Randle scored again, with Pope and Anthony trying to catch up, leaving a 5-point difference. After a timeout, Reed and Edwards extended the lead to 12 points. Blake made a layup, but Reed and Randle responded, maintaining a 14-point lead. Carter dunked, while Conley and Edwards made four free throws, ending the third quarter with the Timberwolves leading 78-62.
In the fourth quarter, Randle and McDaniels scored 6 points in a row, extending the Timberwolves' lead to 22 points. Bitadze and Howard scored consecutively, but DiVincenzo, McDaniels, and Reed responded, keeping the gap at 21 points. Sustan and Bitadze scored, but Gobert, McDaniels, and Randle responded, maintaining a 24-point lead. Bitadze and Quinn reduced the gap to 18 points, but Randle made a layup, keeping the lead at 20 points with over three minutes left in the game. Both teams then withdrew their starters, and the Timberwolves ultimately won 104-89.
Edwards shot 5 out of 19 (4 out of 11 from three-point range) for 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists, missing many shots but hitting 4 three-pointers. In the last four games, he has hit a total of 27 three-pointers, setting a career record for three-pointers in four games. Randle shot 8 out of 16 for 23 points and 10 rebounds, Reed had 16 points and 3 rebounds, DiVincenzo had 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Gobert had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Bitadze had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Pope had 13 points and 1 rebound, Anthony had 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists, Sustan had 14 points and 1 rebound, and Howard had 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
After the Timberwolves' victory, they surpassed the Clippers to take seventh place in the West, while the Clippers dropped to eighth. The Magic, after their loss, remained fourth in the East.
The Timberwolves recently promoted DiVincenzo to the starting lineup and benched Conley, with good results. They have successively defeated the Clippers, Pelicans, and Magic, making their lineup changes successful.