MIAMI – Down the stretch in the Timberwolves’ 129-126 victory over the Heat, coach Ryan Saunders made a lineup decision he hasn’t made much since the Wolves acquired point guard D’Angelo Russell.
He played Russell and backup point guard Jordan McLaughlin together in the final minutes.
The move paid off, with McLaughlin scoring the go-ahead layup with 8.5 seconds to play.
Saunders said he made the move to help alleviate some pressure on Russell.
“They were blitzing D’Angelo in pick and rolls, trying to get the ball out of his hands,” Saunders said. “So I figured we’d get him off the ball a little bit, and Jordan is a good pick and roll player as well.