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 again, losing streak at three after lackluster performance
Timberwolves’ Struggles: A Deep Dive into Recent Losses
Things have turned from bad to worse for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves have now suffered back-to-back losses against the shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers on consecutive nights. Coupled with a late collapse against a Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat team on Sunday, and the vibes around the team are ... not positive.
A Disheartening Road Trip
Tuesday’s loss in Portland was marked by a lack of urgency and poor execution, with the Wolves turning the ball over 21 times and struggling on the boards. Portland capitalized on these mistakes, shooting an impressive 56 percent from beyond the arc in the first game.
In the second matchup, the Timberwolves jumped out to an early lead. However, their energy quickly dissipated, leading to a tie game by halftime. The team began to play panicky, resulting in rushed shots and defensive lapses. The overall effort was lacking, and the Wolves were unable to capitalize on Portland’s own struggles; the Blazers only made nine 3-pointers and turned the ball over 19 times, but it didn’t matter.
Reflecting on Last Season’s Resilience
The Timberwolves never lost more than two consecutive games during the regular season last year. This resilience made the current three-game losing streak feel particularly jarring. Last year, the team demonstrated an ability to bounce back, even in the playoffs, where they managed to push back in series against tough opponents. After losing three straight for the first time all year to the Denver Nuggets in the second round, the Wolves won Game 6 by 45 points to snap out of their swoon. This season, at least so far, the Wolves seem to be struggling to find anything resembling that level of consistency and determination.
The absence of key players like Kyle Anderson has been felt, and the integration of new additions such as Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo is still a work in progress. The bench, which was felt like a clear strength as recently as a week ago, has not been as effective during this rough patch. DiVincenzo in particular has struggled in recent games, highlighting the need for the team to find its rhythm and cohesion.
Looking Ahead
Despite the current challenges, there is hope for a turnaround. The Timberwolves have upcoming opportunities to regain their footing, with games against the Sacramento Kings (Friday, an Emirates NBA Cup game) and the Phoenix Suns (Sunday matinee at Target Center) on the horizon.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ recent performances and future prospects, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
- Analysis of individual player performances and their impact on recent games
- Discussion on the Timberwolves’ rotation and potential adjustments
- Insights into the upcoming matchups against the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns
- The role of new additions like Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in the team’s dynamics
- The significance of Kyle Anderson’s absence and its effect on the bench unit
Traditionally, press defenses are a weapon of last resort in the NBA, fit only for highly specific scenarios or times of desperation. Professional basketball players simply are too good at passing and dribbling to be susceptible to large doses of full-court press — or so the thinking went. But the thinking, it is a-changin’.
Synergy’s database goes back to the 2008-2009 season, and before last year, only one team had used press on even 5% of their defensive possessions: the 2020-21 Charlotte Hornets.
Last year, however, we saw a notable rise in the press defense, thanks to two teams. The Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers both beat Charlotte’s mark. Portland led the league by pressing 7.2% of the time, yielding only .94 points per possession (well below their typical defensive rating of 1.04, although that’s not by any means an apples-to-apples comparison), and I predicted that this year, the Blazers — featuring heavy doses of ambulatory fly paper Toumani Camara — would crack 10%.
I had the right idea but the wrong team. Instead, the Pacers are currently pressing 11.9% of the time, followed closely by Brooklyn’s 11.5% (the Blazers come in third, with a still historically high 8.4%). In retrospect, Indiana’s surging interest in the press shouldn’t be a huge surprise — they picked up full-court on nearly a quarter of their possessions in last year’s playoffs. That’s insane!
They haven’t been quite that extreme this year, but look at this graph of every team’s percentage of defensive possessions in press defense:
Six teams in total are pressing more than 5% of the time. 22 of the league’s 30 teams are pressing more this year than last (with the caveat that we’re talking about a couple dozen possessions or fewer for many of these teams), and this is by far the most press we’ve seen since the data became available. Given the weaknesses we mentioned in the opening paragraph, why is the press gaining popularity?
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.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis
Sam Vecenie of the Athletic breaks down how this year’s rookies have started. I don’t agree with all of his picks, but he’s always thoughtful with his selections and insightful with his analysis. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Personnel
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto goes behind the scenes with the Indiana Pacers’ coaching staff. Mostly, you get a better appreciation for how little coaches sleep! (HoopsHype)
Must Read
Jared Dubin investigates the rise in dunks over time for his newsletter “Last Night, In Basketball.” It’s a fun, breezy read! (Last Night, In Basketball)
Fans
Fresh and icy. The Timberwolves unveiled their City Edition jerseys for this season. (NBA)
Biz
Exciting news for sports fans! FanDuel Sports Network regional channels will soon be available as an add-on subscription on Prime Video. (Star Tribune)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Wednesday’s Notable Fantasy Basketball Performances
Nov 13, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images|Photo By Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
In the ever-evolving world of fantasy basketball, keeping an eye on emerging talents and consistent performers is key to maintaining a competitive edge. Let’s delve into the standout performances of three young guns, as well as the continued dominance of Giannis, and explore their potential impact on your fantasy lineup.
Donovan Clingan: A Rising Star?
Donovan Clingan’s recent performance has caught the attention of fantasy managers everywhere. With 31 minutes on the court, Clingan delivered an impressive stat line of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and a staggering eight blocks. His ability to dominate the paint and contribute defensively makes him a valuable asset, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Deandre Ayton’s injury status. While Clingan’s long-term role remains uncertain, his current form makes him a must-add in fantasy leagues, particularly for those in need of blocks and rebounds.
Jared McCain: Rookie on the Rise
Jared McCain has quickly become a hot topic in fantasy circles, thanks to his explosive performance in the absence of key players like Paul George and Joel Embiid. McCain’s 34-point game, complete with six three-pointers and 10 assists, showcases his potential as a high-usage player. While his current role is bolstered by injuries to teammates, McCain’s talent is undeniable. Fantasy managers should consider adding him to their rosters, but remain cautious about his long-term value once the team’s stars return.
Click the button below to see how Giannis continues to be a fantasy force, and why for Victor Wembanyama, the future is now.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
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