Timberwolves
Wolves Hold Off Heat's Late Rally, Win Preseason Opener 125-124
The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Miami Heat 125-124 at Kaseya Center in a preseason game that saw 19 lead changes. Minnesota built control early and survived a 40-point Heat fourth quarter by out-shooting Miami at the free-throw line and winning the turnover and fast-break battles. Both teams remain 0-0, with the result offering an early look at bench depth rather than any standings impact.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 11 d ago01The story of the nightA Game of Runs, Decided at the LineMinnesota built an early footing and led by as many as 14, while Miami's largest cushion was only 6.
Minnesota built an early footing and led by as many as 14, while Miami's largest cushion was only 6. The two teams traded the lead 19 times apiece, and the fourth quarter showed why: the Heat outscored the Wolves 40-34 in the final period to get within one, but it wasn't enough. The difference came at the free-throw line. Minnesota shot 29 of 33 from the stripe, seven makes more than Miami's 22-for-27, and that alone covered the final one-point margin. Add in a 23-20 edge in points off turnovers and a lopsided 23-14 advantage on the fast break, and the Wolves had just enough cushion to survive Miami's late push.
02Hyland and Pullin Carry Minnesota's BenchBones Hyland led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 6 of 9 from the field and 5 of 6 from three in just 21…
Bones Hyland led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 6 of 9 from the field and 5 of 6 from three in just 21 minutes, plus three steals. Zyon Pullin added 22 off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting and a perfect 8-for-8 at the line. Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 19 on 8-of-16 shooting with three triples made. For Miami, Ryan Conwell paced the offense with 22 points and 9 assists off the bench despite a rough 2-of-9 night from three, while Vladislav Goldin scored 18 on efficient 7-of-10 shooting in a reserve role. Nikola Jovic added 16 on 7-of-11 shooting with three steals.
03Heat Won the Paint, Wolves Won Everything ElseMiami controlled the interior, outscoring Minnesota 54-46 in the paint and getting 71 points from its bench to the…
Miami controlled the interior, outscoring Minnesota 54-46 in the paint and getting 71 points from its bench to the Wolves' 63. Vladislav Goldin and Nikola Jovic did most of that damage inside. But Minnesota's defense turned that into offense elsewhere: the Wolves scored 23 points off 14 Miami turnovers compared to Miami's 20 points off 13 Wolves turnovers, and their 23 fast-break points nearly doubled Miami's 14. Free throws told the same story — Minnesota shot 33 to Miami's 27 and made seven more. Those possessions, not the paint, were the ones that mattered in a one-point game.
04Preseason Minutes, Real AnswersBoth teams are 0-0 and this result won't touch the standings, but the box score gave each side an early look at its…
Both teams are 0-0 and this result won't touch the standings, but the box score gave each side an early look at its depth. Zyon Pullin, Isaiah Evans and Joan Beringer all made cases off Minnesota's bench, with Beringer adding four blocks in 24 minutes. For Miami, Ryan Conwell's 22-point, 9-assist game and Vladislav Goldin's 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting stood out among reserves, even if the starters — Pelle Larsson shot just 4 of 15 — struggled to find a rhythm. Nineteen lead changes each way show how even this preseason tilt was.
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