Naz Reid is the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. After the first half of Game 2, he should consider entering the Three-Point Contest next season.
NAZ REID IS ON FIRE
— NBA (@NBA) May 25, 2024
12 PTS, 4 3PM... all in the 1st half!
MIN looks to even the series 1-1 on TNT pic.twitter.com/xC2yPnmkQc
Reid hit all four of his three-pointers in a 12-point first half, as the Timberwolves made eight of their first shots from behind the arc on their way to a 60-48 halftime lead. Minnesota led by as many as 18 points after a triple-fueled 13-4 run in the middle of the quarter but cooled off enough for Dallas to close the gap late.
Even though he's nominally a center, Reid shot 41.4 percent from three-point range during the regular season. It wasn't even a small sample size, as Reid launched five threes per game. He made 169 three-pointers — one more than Kevin Durant.
Minnesota leaned heavily on Reid in the first half, after Karl-Anthony Towns committed two fouls in four seconds during the first quarter. Reid made a three on their very next possession.
Naz Reid corner 3 pic.twitter.com/zlG47Tv1V4
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) May 25, 2024
Much like with Jaden McDaniels in Game 1 , Reid has done damage when Luka Doncic sags off him to help inside. He's also punished the Mavericks by sprinting in transition to get open shots and knocking them down when he does.
Jaden McDaniels block, Naz Reid transition 3 pic.twitter.com/XjOAhKteXd
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) May 25, 2024
The Timberwolves defense has committed to denying the Mavericks opportunities for three-point shots. Reid made as many three-pointers as the whole Mavericks team in the first half. That's after the Mavericks shot only 6-of-25 in Game 1.
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