Photo: Peter Baba

After Anthony Edwards exploded for 27 points through the first three quarters, the San Antonio Spurs tightened up defensively in the final period and held the Minnesota Timberwolves star to just five points.

According to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News, Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle played a major role in slowing Edwards down late in the game by pressuring him constantly and forcing him away from his preferred spots on the floor.

“We know he likes to get to that left-hand step back for sure, so we just tried to pressure him and make him go right,” Vassell explained.

The Spurs also mixed in double teams and physical defense throughout the night in an effort to wear Edwards down before crunch time.

“And then sending doubles, and doing stuff like that,” Vassell added. “But ultimately it was to wear him down all through the game, so at the end of the game, he wasn’t feeling comfortable.”

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