3 key numbers from Heat's blowout loss to Timberwolves in opener

Heat Timberwolves — (Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves took care of business against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat in their season opener with a 131-106 win. What were a few key numbers highlighting why the Heat struggled? Let’s examine!

14 – Combined 3-point makes from Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball

On a night headlined by Antetokounmpo’s debut with the Miami Heat, it was the new Timberwolves backcourt of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards who stole the show.

Edwards scored 45 points on 16-of-29 shooting and 9-of-17 from 3-point range, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only three players ever with multiple 40-point openers. LaMelo Ball followed suit with 21 on 5-of-13 from distance.

The two combined to make 14 threes — six more than the Heat had as a team. Only Klay Thompson had multiple made threes, knocking down seven. In today’s NBA, you’re not going to win with that big of a difference, unless you completely overwhelm your opponent on the glass, in transition and in the paint. Evidently, that wasn’t the case for the Heat.

18 – Rebound margin in Timberwolves’ favor

Miami’s effort on the glass tonight was subpar. Part of the discrepancy resulted from the aforementioned duo lighting the Heat up from deep. But Miami pulled down just 35 rebounds with a minus-18 rebound differential, including a minus-17 disparity over the final three quarters. Better yet, the Heat had a 39.7 total rebound percentage and a 59.1 defensive rebound percentage over that span. Those are unacceptable marks, regardless of the single-game sample size.

128.2 – Defensive rating with Bam Adebayo + Giannis Antetokounmpo on floor:

All of these numbers tie into one another. Miami’s defense was well below average, especially with their two-best defenders sharing the floor together.

In the 25-point loss, Adebayo and Antetokounmpo sported a 128.2 defensive rating to just a 102.6 offensive rating. Both players were oftentimes playing drop a little below the level of screen, which gave Edwards, Ball and Co. a few free looks from 3-point range. Erik Spoelstra eventually adjusted, but it was too late; in a perfect world, they’re switching unless they’re playing at the level with the other as the low man.

It’s Game 1. They aren’t cohesive right now. This is the first hiccup since the start of preseason, so I am not worried long-term. That doesn’t make Wednesday’s showing any less frustrating, though.