The Timberwolves lose yet another close game
The Minnesota Timberwolves are navigating a challenging stretch, having lost three consecutive games for the second time this season. Last season, the Wolves didn’t have a three-game losing streak until the second round of the playoffs.
Tuesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets in overtime highlighted several issues, including the persistent slow starts and ongoing late-game execution problems.
Comeback Efforts and Rotation Questions
The Timberwolves found themselves trailing by 18 points in the third quarter, needing a furious second-half comeback to force overtime. Anthony Edwards had a chance to win the game in regulation, but his floater rimmed out, leading to an extra period during which the Wolves’ offense faltered.
Head coach Chris Finch made some controversial rotation decisions in the second half of this one. Rob Dillingham was a remarkable +26 in this game (no other Wolves player had a plus-minus north of +6), but was taken out in the final minute of regulation and didn’t return until the Wolves were down by eight with under a minute remaining in overtime. Naz Reid played a significant role in the comeback as well but left the game with just over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter and didn’t return until the final minute of overtime.
The Dillingham substitution made some sense, he was gassed after dragging the Wolves back into the game, was struggling to navigate the Rockets’ pick-and-roll game, and had just committed a costly turnover. But not going back to Reid and watching Julius Randle struggle to helm the Wolves’ offense was certainly an eyebrow-raiser.
Late-Game Execution and Defensive Adjustments
The Timberwolves’ late-game execution has been a recurring issue, reminiscent of their struggles two years ago. While they generated decent shots, they failed to convert them, with Edwards missing all his fourth-quarter and overtime attempts and Jaden McDaniels missing several open 3-point attempts, ultimately finishing the game just 1-for-8 from outside the arc. The Rockets, known for their hard play and top-tier defense, capitalized on the Wolves’ lack of intensity early in the game and clamped down defensively late.
For their part, the Rockets’ offense in the fourth quarter was equally disjointed. But the Wolves’ inability to capitalize on this and their reliance on isolation plays contributed to their downfall. Finch’s decision to substitute Dillingham for Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the final seconds was a strategic move for defense, yet it highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing the Wolves’ disjointed offense and inconsistent defense.
The Timberwolves must address these issues quickly, as they face the Sacramento Kings next. With a tough schedule ahead, including games against the Clippers, Lakers, and Warriors in the coming week, it’s crucial for the team to find consistency and improve their execution.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ recent performances, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
- Analysis of Anthony Edwards’ performance and decision-making
- Chris Finch’s post-game reflections and rotation strategies
- The impact of Julius Randle’s offensive approach
- Defensive challenges and adjustments against the Rockets
- Upcoming matchups and their significance for the Timberwolves
