{"id":72795,"date":"2024-04-11T06:52:35","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T10:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=72795"},"modified":"2024-04-11T06:59:56","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T10:59:56","slug":"timberwolves-anthony-edwards-best-bet-karl-anthony-towns-guarding-nikola-jokic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/04\/11\/timberwolves-anthony-edwards-best-bet-karl-anthony-towns-guarding-nikola-jokic\/","title":{"rendered":"Anthony Edwards Names Wolves \u2018Best Bet\u2019 Guarding Nikola Jokic"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Wednesday night, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic<\/a> torched the Minnesota Timberwolves for 41 points on 16-20 shooting from the field.<\/p>\n

Once again, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert<\/a> couldn\u2019t guard Jokic if Minnesota\u2019s season depended on it. Fortunately for them, all that was at stake on Wednesday was the No. 1 seed in the West<\/a>. Nonetheless, the Timberwolves\u2019 poor backline defense highlighted the continued absence of hybrid big man Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Anthony Edwards: KAT is Timberwolves \u2018Best Bet\u2019 Guarding Nikola Jokic<\/h2>\n

Towns has been an inconsistent defender throughout his career. Nonetheless, Towns averaged 1.5 blocks per game over the first four seasons of his career. He\u2019s landed in the top-10 in total blocked shots in three seasons. Furthermore, he has the second-most blocks in Timberwolves history (720).<\/p>\n

A 7-footer listed at 248 pounds, Towns is agile for his size; catlike, if you will. He also has quick hands, whether swiping the ball down or blocking a shot attempt. Last but not least, he has savvy technique. He stays down, keeps his body between his man and the basket, and uses his wingspan to deter passes.<\/p>\n

After the Timberwolves\u2019 loss to the Nuggets, face of the franchise Anthony Edwards<\/a> discussed Towns\u2019 impending return. Out since Mar. 4 with a torn meniscus<\/a>, Towns is expected to be back on the court<\/a> before the end of the regular season.<\/p>\n

“I mean, it would be a lot easier for everyone because he’s gonna get 25 points every night,” Edwards says. “Like, easy. He walks in the gym with 25 points. So it makes it a lot easier for everybody.”<\/p>\n

\n

Asked Anthony Edwards about not having Karl-Anthony Towns in this matchup and where they would have felt his presence if he did play:<\/p>\n

“I mean, it would be a lot easier for everyone because he’s gonna get 25 points every night. Like, easy. He walks in the gym with 25 points. So\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) April 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n