The Timeberwolves came out sharp in Shanghai. Karl-Anthony Towns, finding his feet after a couple of early travels, took it to the Warriors inside and out. Jimmy Butler looked at home too, getting to the line, creating for teammates. Andrew Wiggins was twirling, twirling, twirling toward freedom.
The Warriors meanwhile looked like it was 4am on defense, struggling to keep up with the Wolves attack in transition, and fouling far too frequently in the half court. At the end of the first quarter Minnesota had put up 44 points on the board.