Anthony Edwards scores 45 as Timberwolves spoil Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Heat debut

Edwards hits nine threes in 45-point explosionAntetokounmpo scores 35 in first game with HeatMinnesota rout Miami 131-106 in season openerAnthony Edwards scored 45 points as he and the Minnesota Timberwolves spoiled Giannis Antetokounmpo’s debut with the Miami Heat in an emphatic 131-106 season-opening win on Wednesday night.Edwards became just the third player in NBA history to record multiple 40-point games in season openers, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. Continue reading…

Edwards joins Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan in an exclusive NBA club as Minnesota overwhelm Miami despite 35 points from Antetokounmpo Anthony Edwards scored 45 points as he and the Minnesota Timberwolves spoiled Giannis Antetokounmpo’s debut with the Miami Heat in an emphatic 131-106 season-opening win on Wednesday night. Edwards became just the third player in NBA history to record multiple 40-point games in season openers, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. Antetokounmpo scored 35 points and grabbed six rebounds after joining Miami in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. Edwards checked out with 3:51 remaining and Minnesota leading by 28.

He shot 16-for-29 from the floor, including 9-for-17 from three-point range, and added 10 rebounds. His 45 points were the most by a Minnesota player in a season opener and marked his 125th career game with at least 30 points. LaMelo Ball, making his Timberwolves debut, hit five three-pointers and finished with 21 points and six assists. Jaden McDaniels scored 17 points, and Rudy Gobert grabbed 15 rebounds for Minnesota. Antetokounmpo checked out with seven minutes remaining after hearing MVP chants from the home crowd early in