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Top defender's confidence, “(Opponents) won't want to play against our defense”
Defense leads Minnesota to victory over Phoenix.
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 105-93 in Game 2 of the first round of the 2023-2024 NBA Playoffs on Thursday (Feb. 24) at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The win was their second straight. They took a 2-0 series lead.
Minnesota finished the regular season ranked third in the NBA in stingy defense this season. Their defensive rating (expected points allowed per 100 defensive opportunities) was a whopping 108.4, the lowest in the league. Even the Boston Celtics, who had the second-lowest, were far behind. They also had the league's lowest defensive rating (106.5), meaning they played the tightest defense of the season.
This defense has continued into the playoffs. In Game 1, they held Phoenix to 95 points. Phoenix was stifled by the Minnesota defense, scoring well below their regular-season average of 116.2 points. It was more of the same in Game 2. Minnesota held its opponent to 93 points. As a result, Minnesota won both games.
The first quarter was close, but Rudy Gobert (C, 216 cm), the heart of the defense, made his presence felt from the floor, scoring eight points. That, combined with the contributions of other players, gave them the edge. Although they gave up 30 points to their opponent in the second quarter, they were a completely different team in the second half.
Minnesota held Phoenix to 20 points in the third quarter. Anthony Edwards (196 cm, G) added a pair of free throws at the end of the quarter to make it 78-71. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota continued to play solid defense, shutting down the opponent's “big three” and extending their lead to win the game.
Kobe finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and one blocked shot. “Defense won the game,” Kobe said in a postgame interview. I think everybody knows that,” Kobe said with approval.
“Our defense is really solid. I think everyone realizes it, and I think the players they play against realize it. They don't want to play against our defense. I'm confident in our defense,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gobert, who has been the heart of Minnesota's defense, has been tremendous again this season, making him a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and seeking his fourth career Defensive Player of the Year award.