Thanks to the Lakers mixing up their defensive coverages, Anthony Edwards had a mediocre Game 2.
One of the keys to the Lakers beating the Wolves on Tuesday was slowing down Minnesota’s offense.
Players like Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid came down from their monstrous Game 1 performances and were much more pedestrian in Game 2.
However, the biggest key was controlling their best offensive weapon, Anthony Edwards.
No team can ever entirely stop the superstar guard, but you can frustrate Edwards and make him work for everything he gets.
The Lakers threw the kitchen sink at Edwards with their switch-heavy defense, putting two on the ball and mixing in some zone coverages.
The result was Edwards shooting 10-22 from the field and only making a pair of 3-pointers.
Minnesota only scored 85 points in their Game 2 loss, their lowest scoring performance of the year. Afterwards, Edwards acknowledged that Los Angeles’ defensive gameplan stifled him.
“It seemed every time I caught the ball, they kind of went like in a zone in a sense,” Edwards said. “It was kind of confusing at times. But we’ll watch film and be ready.”
If you show a player like Edwards the same thing every time, he will torch you. The Lakers were able to mix things up.
When he penetrated inside the paint, there was help waiting. Often, when Edwards was at the top of the key, two players met him there and challenged his shot attempts.
Interesting to see the Lakers throw a different look at Anthony Edwards. Gobert screens for him, Veer action since he’s flowing into a pindown. But notice that Hayes is at the level and stays with the drive. Two on the ball. Mix different things in to try and change rhythm. pic.twitter.com/oLJhaiRxeL
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) April 23, 2025
“This was the first time I’ve seen this [coverage],” Edwards said. “Like every time I caught the ball at the top, it was kind of like they was in a zone. Even when we cut guys through, they just stayed. I’ve got to be able to make those reads.”
With this series even at 1-1 and heading to Minnesota, the Wolves will look at the tape and help Edwards see what reads are available and how to attack the Lakers’ defense better.
This is part of the seven-game basketball battle that a series becomes when teams are as evenly matched as the Lakers and Wolves.
Now, we’ll see if Minnesota can respond at home and if Los Angeles can replicate this level of defensive excellence.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.