Ben Beecken here, the host of the daily Locked On Wolves podcast, with your daily Locked On Wolves newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Wolves and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Minnesota Timberwolves lose to Blazers in another flat performance behind turnovers, sloppy defense
Timberwolves’ Struggles: A Closer Look at Recent Performances
It’s officially time for a wake-up call for the Minnesota Timberwolves after a disappointing loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
On the heels of a late collapse to the Miami Heat on Sunday, the Wolves struggled throughout a 14-point loss to the shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Assessing the Timberwolves’ Performance
Minnesota struggled to find their rhythm from the very beginning of the game. The absence of DeAndre Ayton and limited minutes from Anfernee Simons before he suffered an injury should have given the Timberwolves an edge, yet they appeared generally disinterested and sloppy from the start.
One of the most glaring issues was the team’s inability to execute basic plays. Simple passes were off-target and defensive rotations were tardy, leading to turnovers, missed opportunities, and easy buckets for Portland.
Concerns Over Team Dynamics and Strategy
Coming into Tuesday’s game, the Wolves still boasted both a top-10 offense and a top-10 defense, and the team has shown glimpses of being a formidable force in fleeting moments. However, the recent losses may just underscore the need for head coach Chris Finch to break out of his tight rotation of just eight players and consider giving more playing time to the likes of Josh Minott (two minutes vs. Portland) and Rob Dillingham (did not play). While the intention is clearly to build chemistry among the core group, it has limited opportunities for other players to contribute and gain experience.
The upcoming schedule presents a critical juncture for the Timberwolves. Facing the same opponent in quick succession offers a chance to regroup and address these issues. It’s essential for the team to find a balance between maintaining a strong core and integrating other players into the rotation. This approach could provide the necessary depth and flexibility to navigate the season’s challenges.
The Timberwolves’ recent performances have sparked a mix of concern and optimism. While the losses are disappointing, they could serve as a wake-up call for the team to reassess their strategies and make necessary adjustments. The potential is there, but it requires a collective effort to unlock it fully.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
- Analysis of the Timberwolves’ offensive and defensive strategies
- Key player performances and areas for improvement
- Upcoming game previews and what to expect
- Insights into Chris Finch’s coaching decisions and their impact
Klay Thompson’s homecoming to The Bay started well before he hit the floor last night at Oracle with the Mavs and roughly 19,000 fans started waving nautical Captain hats.
It started mid-way through last season, when Golden State didn’t signal they’d immediately be resigning Thompson as the franchise had, up to then, always been in a hurry to. There were shades of it along with Thompson’s frustrations in his game changing, the splashy shots not falling as fluidly as they used to. Clues came in the way the Warriors felt their frustrations as a team: once together, a cohesive unit, and then splintering and individually.
“Even from July, when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody,” Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, said after last night’s game.
Basketball isn’t played in a vacuum, and Curry sharing the psychic and emotional timeline of the team underscores that in a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes its brightest full-circle moments have to struggle through discomfort, angst and loss in order to come back around. Often, the storylines with the most ups and downs are the ones that end the most cathartically.
Since this season began, Thompson’s been candid about how necessary the move to Dallas was for him. “Every pro athlete’s human, and uncertainty can bear on you,” he told ESPN prior to Tuesday night’s homecoming game.
“Honestly, it’s rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental [state] and my career,” Thompson said.
It’s a knife’s edge between animosity for an athlete’s who’s left a franchise they share a storied history with and sympathy for their decision. What tips fans to one side or the other can skew personal, so isn’t always easy to predict, but Thompson’s tendency toward honesty helps. He’s always been someone who wears what he’s feeling on the floor openly, and for that fans — for the most part — respond with empathy. There’s a sense that through all the years he played for the Warriors there was an open conduit of conversation between him and the fanbase.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Recap The Timberwolves outlasted the Trail Blazers in a thrilling NBA Cup IST opener, with Anthony Edwards leading the charge against Jerami Grant’s valiant effort. (Cannis Hoopus)
Preview Get ready for a back-to-back showdown between the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers as both teams look to capitalize on momentum in their upcoming games. (Star Tribune)
Legacy Klay Thompson feels “free” after his late-career move to Dallas. (ESPN)
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Tuesday - Robert Williams Day
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half at Moda Center. |Photo by Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA games offered a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball managers. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways and strategic moves you should consider:
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
- Grant Williams: With his move to the starting lineup, Williams is a viable short-term pickup, especially while the Hornets deal with injuries. His ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a solid addition in deeper leagues.
- Moussa Diabate: Diabate’s rebounding prowess is noteworthy, especially with the Hornets’ frontcourt injuries. He’s a strong option for those in need of rebounds in deeper formats.
- Franz Wagner: Wagner’s performance underscores his value, particularly with Paolo Banchero out. Consider selling high if you can get a top-tier player in return, as his current production may dip once Banchero returns.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
- Tyler Herro: After a 40-point explosion, Herro is a prime sell-high candidate. His shooting percentages are unlikely to sustain, so capitalise on his current form to bolster your roster.
- Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: Both players showed their potential to fill the stat sheet. Cunningham remains a must-start, while Ivey’s bounce-back game suggests he’s worth holding onto for his upside.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
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