The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Brooklyn Nets 127-126 in OT. Wow, what a game to start the 2019-20 NBA season. The Nets and Timberwolves went back and forth all night long, and it was Minnesota who pulled out the victory. The game started out sloppy, as both teams had relatively sluggish starts. The Nets especially did a very poor job finishing close to the rim to start the game. Minnesota hit a couple of threes and took a 33-22 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Nets rebounded a little in the second quarter, but could not stop Minnesota. The Nets were all Kyrie in the first half, as the supporting cast got off to a very slow start. Spencer Dinwiddie hit a three as the first half expired to send the Nets into the half down 12. The third quarter was a different story for Brooklyn. They clicked on all cylinders, and got meaningful production from Taurean Prince and Joe Harris. After being done by as many as 18 points, Brooklyn came all the way back and took an 8 point lead in the third. They also outscored Minnesota 37-20 in the third. Once again, the Nets came out to a sluggish start in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn turned the ball over 7 times to start the 4th, and watched their lead disappear. Kyrie came back alive in the 4th and hit a clutch three to allow the Nets to take a 109-108 lead with 2 minutes to go. After a KAT three pointer a minute later, the Nets and Wolves found themselves tied with 25 seconds to go. Kyrie drove to the lane and missed, but Jarrett Allen got the rebound and was fouled with 5 seconds to go. Unfortunately, Jarrett missed both free throws and the Nets and wolves headed to OT tied at 115. Joe Harris hit a big 3 with 1:30 to go in OT to allow the Nets to take a one point lead, but Andrew Wiggins made shots on two straight possessions to seal the game for the Wolves. Kyrie had a chance to win the game with 10 seconds left, but he fell down, got back up and just missed a game winner. Kyrie was electric all night long, and just missed having the perfect introduction to Brooklyn. All in all, the Nets did not have an answer for KAT and he absolutely killed them. The Nets need to work on their defense and free throw shooting to improve on tonight’s victory. Nets showed some positives tonight, but they showed more negatives. They will try it again on Friday against the Knicks.

Kyrie Irving was magnificent for the Nets tonight, leading the way with 50 points 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Kyrie set the record for the most points scored in a Nets debut, and was 7 points away from tying Deron Williams’ record for most points in a game for a Net. Kyrie came just short on his game winner, and will remember that one for a while. Caris LeVert started his season off on a good note, finishing with 20 points and 5 rebounds on 9-19 shooting. LeVert is the clear number two scoring option for this Nets team. Joe Harris did not do much in the first half, but finished with a solid 14 points and 4 rebounds on 4-6 shooting from deep. Lastly, Taurean Prince (15 points and 11 rebounds) and Spencer Dinwiddie (14 points on 6-13 shooting) put together good games in the loss.

For the Timberwolves, it was all Karl-Anthony Towns. KAT finished with a dominant 36 points and 14 rebounds on 11-22 shooting. KAT was especially good from deep, shooting 7-11 on threes. This was a familiar stat line for KAT against the Nets, as he destroys Jarrett Allen. Andrew Wiggins, 21 points and 8 rebounds, hit a number of clutch shots that propelled the Wolves to a victory. In what is suppose to be a down year in Minnesota, they sure got off to a good start tonight.

What’s Next?

The Nets stay home to face the Knicks on Friday, while the Timberwolves travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets Friday night.

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