The Minnesota Timberwolves finally stumbled into winning ways again. After losing their first NBA Cup game, they bounced back against the Sacramento Kings. The win, though, had their hearts pumping traumas of the past. They had blown a sizeable lead against the Trail Blazers a few days prior. It nearly happened again with their 20-point lead boiling to absolutely nothing. However, they had the coolness of Anthony Edwards, who delivered a masterful performance in the overtime thriller.

He scored 36, including a perfect overtime, which included a shrewd game-winner. While nowhere close, it still spoilt De’Aaron Fox’s career night as the Kings’ cornerstone exploded for 60 points in the loss! Ant-Man knew this wasn’t the full strength of Sacramento. They lacked two major instruments. Malik Monk was on the sidelines. But the biggest absence had to be that of DeMar DeRozan.

So even while he commended his team for their collective effort in the tedious away win, Edwards admitted there might have been “trouble” had the whole Sac Town been healthy.

“Scary man. Scary. Especially when Fox playing like that. If DeRozan was on the floor, we might have been in trouble, you know. I think he takes a lot of pressure off Fox as far as just got to make something happen because his mid-range is, you know, everybody knows he can score the ball. So he takes a lot of pressure off Fox,” Edwards asserted after the game in the locker room.

After their offense was curtailed last season, the addition of DeMar DeRozan has bolstered Sacramento to retain their identity as an electric attacking unit. They are tied for the sixth-best offensive rating in the league, and Deebo’s poise has helped manufacture that. His mastery of the mid-range gives the Kings varied offensive options at all times.

However, that wasn’t the reason Anthony Edwards thought they would be in trouble.

Anthony Edwards is well aware of what DeMar DeRozan can do

It took one game against the Phoenix Suns to understand the dimension that DeMar DeRozan brings to the Kings. It’s the quality of calmness. When the nerves are at their highest and the stakes are fierce, Deebo remains unfazed. Against the Suns, he scored 34 points in their overtime win. His flurry came right when the Kings needed it. The first job was to turn around a lead and the 35-year-old scored 16 in the fourth. Then DeRozan didn’t miss in overtime, scoring the first eight points for Sacramento.

Since the Clutch Player of The Year award was introduced, the former Raptor has ranked second in consecutive seasons. Why would that be scary?

Because Fox is no different.

He won the inaugural award and has kept his benchmark set. This season, DeMar DeRozan ranks 10th in clutch scoring, averaging 5.1 points in the final five minutes. Fox isn’t far off putting up a clinical 4.5 points in the same period. Despite that, the Kings astonishingly have a losing record in clutch games, winning just 3 of their eight matchups.

It’s largely because of their shortcomings in defense, which is only just starting to take some shape. The more Minnesota’s starting string plays together, the more in-tune they are likely to grow. Hence, Edwards is right to hold the fear of facing the Kings when they are a well-oiled machine. Their offense runs quickly, as was evident in their eradicating a double-digit deficit in a matter of minutes.

Mike Brown, renowned for his defensive tactics, has a job on hand. If he manages to create synergy on both ends, teams may have to watch out for the Kings. Do you think Sacramento can make it to the playoffs, after missing last year? Let us know your views below.