Anthony Edwards hit nine 3-pointers and scored 45 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Heat 131-106 on Wednesday night in Miami. The win spoiled the home debut of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 35 before fouling out.
Edwards joined Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only players with at least 40 points in multiple season openers. He scored 41 in last season’s opener at Portland. LaMelo Ball added 21 in his Minnesota debut, and Jaden McDaniels scored 17.
Minnesota took control with a 23-7 run that stretched from late in the second quarter into the third. The Timberwolves turned a one-point lead into a 78-61 advantage. Edwards and Ball combined for 17 points during that stretch, while Miami missed six of nine shots and turned the ball over four times.
Miami got within eight midway through the third quarter. Minnesota answered with a 45-23 run, and Edwards scored 18 in that burst. The Heat missed 11 of 12 3-point attempts in that span.
Antetokounmpo made 13 of 19 shots and had six rebounds. Bam Adebayo scored 15 for Miami, which has now lost three straight season openers, the third time that has happened in franchise history. Rudy Gobert pulled down 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who outrebounded Miami 52-34.
The Heat host Detroit on Friday. The Timberwolves visit Orlando the same night.
