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.
Another late meltdown as the Minnesota Timberwolves fall apart in loss to Toronto Raptors
Rudy Gobert-Julius Randle Meltdown: A Night to Forget for the Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves faced a challenging night against the Toronto Raptors, marked by a fourth-quarter collapse that left us all questioning the team dynamics. The game highlighted ongoing significant issues and was underscored with a...unique play involving Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle.
The Fourth Quarter Collapse
The Timberwolves had managed to build a slight lead in the fourth quarter, but things quickly unraveled. Jaden McDaniels scored seven straight for the Wolves and they lead by as many of five, but then the poor decisions began in earnest.
The pivotal moment came when Randle, following an offensive rebound by McDaniels, failed to pass to Gobert, who had sealed the smaller Scottie Barnes underneath the basket. Gobert took a three-second violation without an effort to avoid it, leaving Anthony Edwards to loudly question him on the way back up the floor. Gobert’s frustration was evident as he committed a needless foul on the other end, further compounding the issue.
This sequence of events was a glaring example of the lack of cohesion and communication on the court. Both Randle and Gobert were at fault, and their actions reflected poorly on the team’s overall maturity and teamwork. And this came from two of their more veteran and accomplished players, no less.
Analyzing the Team Dynamics
The incident between Randle and Gobert raises questions about the team’s internal dynamics. Randle’s reluctance to pass the ball to Gobert, despite the clear mismatch, suggests a lack of trust or understanding between the players. Gobert’s subsequent actions, which seemed more like a tantrum than a professional response, only exacerbated the situation.
Chris Finch’s approach to handling such situations is typically hands-off, which can be beneficial in fostering player autonomy. However, in this case, it might have been necessary to intervene more directly. The team’s leadership, particularly from Edwards, needs to step up to ensure that such incidents do not become a recurring theme.
The Timberwolves’ inconsistency has been a recurring issue this season. While they have shown flashes of brilliance, these moments are often overshadowed by lapses in judgment and execution. The game against the Raptors was a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve the level of consistency required to compete at the highest level.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ challenges and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
- Detailed analysis of the Timberwolves’ defensive struggles
- The impact of Jaden McDaniels’ performance on team dynamics
- Chris Finch’s coaching strategies and their effectiveness
- A look ahead at the Timberwolves’ upcoming matchups
- The role of Anthony Edwards in leading the team through adversity
They’ve had close wins, technical wins, nail-biters and blow-outs; they’ve (reportedly) turned down superstars and and currently sit third in the west with a record of 11-5 — In a Western Conference finally coming alive, can the Houston Rockets keep this up?
The Rockets are on pace to tie or surpass the franchise’s win record of 64, set by a team led by James Harden in 2017-2018. It was Harden’s — and all the failed years of being in the running for title contention — ghost that still hung over the franchise as recently as last season, no matter that Harden himself has been part of three different rosters since he sulked his way out of Houston. Everything from the Rockets brand of basketball to the team’s waylaid trajectory back into competition had been set and then upended by him.
It was something of an exorcism then, that Houston handily beat Harden’s current team, the Clippers, in back-to-back games this week.
What feels especially lasting about the winning pace the Rockets have set is that there’s plenty room for the team to improve. Houston’s sitting at 25th overall in field goal percentage, 27th in three-point percentage, and is still claiming the ninth overall offensive ranking in the league. Their starters have all been shooting well below their career bests, and yet, nothing about the Rockets’ wins have looked harried.
For a team that has an average of just four years NBA experience between them, there’s a wealth of patience. When the Rockets have been pressed this season, or teams like the Pacers and Bulls have tried to rush them with pace, they fall back on snapping passes and sinking into ball movement. There are still sequences of ISO ball and flubbed defensive rotations, but Houston has leaned into their transitions as opportunities to reset. No doubt in part to having the always unflappable Fred VanVleet driving this thing, plus the veteran offensive ballasts of Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks.
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
Replay The Timberwolves faced a tough loss against the Raptors in a close game. Despite strong performances from Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, Scottie Barnes led the Raptors to victory. Full recap available. (Canis Hoopus)
Opponent The Timberwolves suffered a tough defeat against the Raptors, with standout performances from RJ Barrett and Anthony Edwards. Detailed game analysis available in the Star Tribune. (Star Tribune)
Legacy Will NBA expansion bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle? Find out. (The Athletic)
Biz Amid their early-season tank, the Sixers expected to scour the trade market for power forwards. (Real GM)
Shopping
This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Sports Mastery
Presented by Dribbleup
Kids can dribble their way to the top of the leaderboard with game-like experience. | Image via Dribbleup
Parents are always looking for gifts their kids will actually use. Dribbleup makes it easy to give a gift that makes practicing fun!
With the Smart Basketball, your child can train anytime, anywhere—guided by dynamic coaching sessions in the Dribbleup app. Dribbleup’s AR technology tracks the ball’s every move, giving real-time feedback.
Watch your child improve with every dribble, all while enjoying a high-tech gift that’s 60% off for the holidays.
Offer ends on 12/23/24. Valid on the purchase of certain products only. Online prices are as marked, reflecting the discount. Membership separate and auto-renews monthly.
Franz Wagner A First Round Fantasy Basketball Player?
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) celebrates with guard Jalen Suggs (4) after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3-point basket with 2.5 seconds left in the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic edged out the LA Lakers with a 119-118 victory. The game was a showcase of talent and strategy, with the Magic overcoming a deficit to secure the win. Franz Wagner was the standout performer, continuing his impressive form with a stellar 37 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists. His all-around game, including four steals and four threes, solidified his status as a top fantasy asset. Wagner’s recent performances have elevated him to first-round value in fantasy leagues, making him a potential sell-high candidate, though his current form might make holding onto him equally appealing.
Dalton Knecht’s Role and Performance
Dalton Knecht played a significant role for the Lakers, logging the most minutes on the team. While his 17 points, four rebounds, and one assist were solid, they highlighted the limitations in his fantasy profile. Knecht’s reliance on scoring and shooting efficiency means that while he’s a valuable asset, his contributions in other categories remain limited. Fantasy managers should monitor his role closely, especially as the Lakers adjust their rotations.
Anthony Black’s Consistency Concerns
Anthony Black’s performance was less consistent, with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on 25% shooting. While his recent games have shown flashes of potential, this outing underscores the volatility in his production. Fantasy managers who picked up Black for his upside should consider holding him through the Magic’s favourable schedule but remain cautious about his long-term consistency.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
Timberwolves fall to Warriors as offense sputters once again, Steph Curry dominates late The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped their second consecutive home game in embarrassing fashion, falling behind by 21 to the Golden State Warriors and needing a bench-driven comeback that ultimately fell short as Stephen Curry dominated late.
Karl-Anthony Towns dominates the Minnesota Timberwolves in return with the New York Knicks The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered an embarrassing loss at the hands of an old friend as Karl-Anthony Towns led a dominant New York Knicks performance in his return to Target Center. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down the bad vibes surrounding the team, as well as how this game got so far off track so quickly.
Checking on Karl-Anthony Towns in New York and Timberwolves newcomers with Locked On Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns is having a career year with the New York Knicks, while former Knicks players Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo have been on a roller coaster ride with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) of Locked On Wolves discusses both ends of the trade and previews Wolves-Knicks with Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe of Locked On Knicks.
