MIAMI, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Anthony Edwards' orchestral rhythm vanquished defenders and hushed hype of Giannis Antetokounmpo's Miami Heat debut in a lopsided Minnesota Timberwolves triumph Wednesday in Miami.
The Timberwolves star poured in 45 points in the 131-106 victory at Kaseya Center. Antetokounmpo supplied 35, setting a record for the most points scored by a player in his Heat debut. But his Eurostep steps and sky-scraping slams weren't enough to help the Heat keep pace with the vicious visitors.
Edwards made 16 of 29 shots. He sank more 3-pointers (9 of 17) than the entire Heat roster (8 of 33). Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo made 13 of 19 attempts. He scored 21 points in the first half.
"It became Edwards dribble-dance and trying to get to his air space," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He felt comfortable all night long. We never got him thinking about anything else other than the rim.
"We are going to have to step up our defense. We know that."
The Heat outshot the Timberwolves 48.1% to 46.9%, but their poor 3-point clip (24.2%) and inability to slow Edwards stoked their demise. They also trailed 52-34 in rebounding and 20 to 6 in second-chance points.
All seven of the game's lead changes occurred in the first half. The Timberwolves, who led by as many as 30 points, outscored the Heat 62-47 in the second.
Antetokounmpo steamed from tip off, scoring the Heat's first eight points. He went on to total 14 over the first 12 minutes. But the Timberwolves carried a 34-32 lead into the second quarter. They outscored the Heat 35-27 over the next dozen minutes, including a 14-5 run to end the half.
Edwards splashed in another 15 points in the third quarter, when the Timberwolves outscored the Heat 30-22. He added nine in the final frame to help seal the Timberwolves' first win of the season. He chipped in 10 rebounds, in addition to his 45 points.
Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball scored 21 points. Forward Jaden McDaniels supplied 17. Heat center Bam Adebayo scored 15 points in the loss. Point guard Davion Mitchell contributed 11 points and 11 assists.
Antetokounmpo and the Heat (0-1) will host the Detroit Pistons (1-0) at 7 p.m. EDT Friday in Miami. The Timberwolves (1-0) will take on the Orlando Magic (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday in Orlando, Fla.