When Chris Finch speaks in visiting arenas, he is often asked by other reporters about the growth of Anthony Edwards from year one to year two. Every time, Finch includes defense in his answer about Edwards.
After tough night shooting, Anthony Edwards makes an impact on defense
Edwards helped lock down Memphis guard Ja Morant in some clutch situations
February 25, 2022 at 5:51AM
"He's really been good on the ball all year and he took the challenge," Finch said after the Wolves beat Memphis 119-114.
Edwards showed Thursday why Finch always gives that answer.
Despite his poor shooting night, Edwards never wavered in his focus or determination to contribute in some way to the Wolves' win. He found it on the defensive end of the floor. At times throughout the night, Edwards did his best impression of teammate Patrick Beverley, nicknamed "Mr. 94 feet" and picked up Memphis guard Ja Morant full court. On a crucial late possession with the Wolves up three and nine seconds remaining, Edwards guarded Morant again. He forced Morant to shoot an airball and secured the Wolves win.
He also forced Morant to give up the ball on Memphis' previous possession.
"I told you guys before that my defense was that good.," Edwards said. "I can guard anybody in the NBA when it comes down to one-on-one matchups. I love myself every time."
Morant finished 7 of 24 from the field and some of that had to do with the defense Edwards was playing on him at times.
"He started denying Morant and kind of took him a little bit out of the rhythm and took him a long time to get into the game really," Finch said. "Came up with the big stop at the end and wasn't going to let him go anywhere that he wanted to go."
Finch opted not to foul in that situation with the Wolves ahead three and nine seconds remaining. Part of that had to do with the struggles the Wolves were having on the offensive glass. Memphis grabbed 26 offensive rebounds for a whopping 27 second-chance points. That included four offensive rebounds off missed free throws. So the chances of Memphis grabbing an offensive rebound after making the first free throw were higher than they might otherwise be against any other opponent.
"We talked about fouling if there was a catch, certainly inside," Finch said. "It was on my mind heavy. We actually talked about fouling if there was an opportunity [on the] catch. I was worried about them going for a quick shot. But Ant came up with the big [play]."
As for his struggles offensively, Edwards said his confidence in his shot isn't waning.
"I always think every shot I take is going in, whether it looks like it's going in or it don't," Edwards said. "I never lose confidence in that. But I think when my shot is not falling, I try to get my teammates involved a little bit more."
Guard D'Angelo Russell said Edwards "got to get used to" the increased attention.
"Definitely something he's got to prepare for in the future knowing that teams are going to focus on him," Russell said.
Coach Chris Finch said the team reviewed film of every Edwards play in clutch time this season, and he graded out fairly well.
