Edwards stars as Timberwolves play to potential in season-opening drubbing of Heat

The new era of Minnesota Timberwolves basketball — the idealized version of it, anyway — was on full display in Wednesday s season-opening, 131-106 win in Miami. Anthony Edwards went nuclear to the tune of 45 points — on the strength of nine triples — 10 rebounds and excellent defense. LaMelo Ball had 21 points and six assists. Jaden McDaniels went 8 for 11 from the floor. Jonathan Kuminga was an efficient scorer and needed physical defensive presence. Rudy Gobert tallied 15 rebounds, with the Wolves winning his minutes by 29 points. Minnesota went bombs away from distance, burying 21 threes on 50 attempts. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in his Heat debut, but the Wolves had answers for everything else. A team that figured to threaten to be the NBA s best offense this season stormed out of the gates, scoring 69 points in the first half. The third frame was an Edwards takeover, with the guard scoring 15 points on 4 for 5 shooting from 3-point range. Edwa