Shots weren’t falling for Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns but it was no issue for the deep Timberwolves (1-1) as Naz Reid came off the bench and scored 25 points to fuel Minnesota to a 106-90 win over the Miami Heat in their home opener Saturday night in Minneapolis.
Reid scored 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3, while also grabbing seven rebounds. The Wolves outscored Miami by 30 points when Reid was on the floor.
The Heat kept it close for three quarters despite playing without Jimmy Butler (rest), Kevin Love (shoulder) and Caleb Martin (knee).
“It was part of the plan with Jimmy and the training staff. We just want to continue to make sure that he’s feeling good. You know, particularly early on. Similar with Caleb,” Heat coach Eric Spoelstra told reporters before the game, according to Heat insider Ira Winderman.
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Minnesota led by seven points after three quarters and then blew the doors off the Heat in the final 12 minutes amid chants from a packed Target Center crowd that was chanting “Where is Jimmy?” during the final two minutes. Butler, with 1:55 left in the game, stood up during a timeout and blew multiple kisses to the fans in reaction to the chant.
Edwards finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. He shot 7-of-15 overall but was just 5-of-13 before hitting back-to-back 3s during Minnesota’s explosive fourth quarter.
Towns had 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting and added 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double. Rudy Gobert added 14 points and 14 rebounds. Mike Conley scored 14 points and Kyle Anderson had 12 points off the bench.
Up next: Timberwolves at Atlanta Hawks, Monday at 6 p.m. CT.
