Wolves’ Chris Finch Talks Devin Booker’s Quiet Game 1 and Strategy to Stop 4X All-Star Again

The Minnesota Timberwolves proved in Saturday’s Game 1 against Phoenix why they have been the best defensive team in the league all year. Maybe it was Anthony Edwards’ playoff tenacity or head coach Chris Finch’s amazing strategy, but they were able to contain the Suns to a mere 95 points. Moreover, Minnesota was able to get a quiet game from 4-time All-Star Devin Booker, which hardly happens. Tonight, the Wolves attempt to repeat what they did on Saturday as they face the Suns in Game 2 of the series. And Finch has a unique strategy to contain Booker one more time.

Finch sat down for a presser ahead of Game 2. He addressed how the Timberwolves limited Booker to 18 points on an underwhelming five of sixteen shooting from the field in the previous game. On tonight’s gameplan, he said, “He’s such an explosive player… Tough cover all the way around, we’re lucky enough to have a few guys to throw at him, but again, you don’t really stop these guys. You just gotta try to keep ‘em from hurting you time and time again.”

Booker is one of the most lethal offensive players in the league, and Chris Finch is aware of that fact. The head coach sang praises of Booker’s versatile skillset and his newfound ability to create plays for his teammates. Also, he believed Booker is not a player who should be allowed back-to-back momentum plays.

In the last game, Finch did not let Booker get to the heart of Minnesota’s defense and used multiple defenders on him to get him out of rhythm. But will he be able to do the same tonight?

Will Devin Booker bounce back in Game 2?

On Saturday, Kevin Durant tried his best to get Phoenix over the hump. But his 31-point outing was not enough to save Phoenix from the young Timberwolves’ beatdown. Meanwhile, his partners in crime, Booker and Beal, were nowhere to be found. Combining for just 33 points, the superstar duo crumbled under the pressure of their first playoff game of the year. But now that the early jitters are gone, we can expect a better showing from the Suns’ Big 3.

After Booker’s disappointing Game 1 performance, KD demanded more aggression from his co-star in the next game. But he had faith in Booker to bounce back and produce better results, “I’m not worried about Book, I think he’ll come out here and have a great Game 2.”

Tonight, Booker gets another chance at redemption, and hopefully, he will be able to help Phoenix level the series before taking the series home. With a career 27.8 points-per-game score in the playoffs, Booker knows his way around pressure situations. And he needs to do the same against the best defense in the league tonight.

Do you believe Devin Booker will have a better game than Saturday and help Phoenix level the series?