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.
Can Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Rockets in NBA Cup action?
Timberwolves vs. Rockets: A Crucial NBA Cup Showdown
As the Minnesota Timberwolves gear up to face the Houston Rockets in the NBA Cup, there’s a lot at stake. The Timberwolves, currently sitting at 1-1 in the cup standings, need to win to have a shot at advancing in the competition. Additionally, they’re on a two-game losing streak and sorely need to get this long homestand started on the right foot.
Where the Timberwolves’ Season Stands as of Now
The Timberwolves have had a rocky start to the year, with an 8-8 record that clearly does not reflect the potential of the team. Last season’s success set high expectation, and rightfully so, but the team has struggled to find its rhythm through the first month-plus of the season, and particularly on defense. The trade of Karl-Anthony Towns impacted the defensive unit for the worse, with Julius Randle not quite filling the defensive shoes of his predecessor. The absence of Kyle Anderson, a versatile defender off the bench for Chris Finch, has also been felt, leaving the team without a key component of their defensive strategy.
Offensively, the Timberwolves have shown promise, ranking as a top-10 offense thus far amid a flurry of 3-point attempts (and, for the most part, makes). Anthony Edwards has been great, leading the league in 3-pointers made and shooting an impressive 44% from beyond the arc. However, the team needs to find a bit more consistency on both ends of the floor.
Key Matchups and Strategies vs. Rockets
Monday night’s NBA Cup game against the Rockets presents several intriguing matchups.
How the Timberwolves will handle the Rockets’ perimeter threats? With players like Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, the Rockets have a dynamic backcourt that can pose significant challenges. Coupled with the rapidly-improving Alperen Sengun, the Rockets have high offensive potential that has shown flashes of dominance early this season. It will be interesting to see if the Timberwolves put Jaden McDaniels on Green and allow Edwards to try and frustrate or VanVleet, or if either Nickeil Alexander-Walker or Donte DiVincenzo could draw the VanVleet assignment in the event Mike Conley doesn’t play due to his lingering toe injury.
Head Coach Chris Finch has been running a tight eight-man rotation, which could become a concern as the season progresses. The potential absence of Conley, who is questionable for the game, might force Finch to rely more on rookie Rob Dillingham, who has shown flashes of potential including an impressive stint against the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
The Timberwolves will also need to address their rebounding issues, particularly against a Rockets team that excels in offensive rebounding. Ensuring that all players rebound their positions will be crucial to preventing second-chance points and maintaining control of the game.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ strategies and season outlook, 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’ defensive struggles and potential solutions
- The impact of Julius Randle’s performance on the team’s dynamics
- A closer look at Anthony Edwards’ shooting evolution and its implications
- Discussion on the Timberwolves’ rotation and the role of young players
- Predictions and expectations for the Timberwolves’ upcoming games
Giannis Antetokounmpo improves on greatness, again
Giannis, Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez lead the way for the Bucks in 2024
Our modern relationship with the concept of greatness is a strange thing. Certainly in NBA basketball, but even more broadly, we like to hold greatness up to its lack. Less readily do we accept greatness at face value, or allow for greatness to simply stand on its own. It needs a backdrop of failure, and maybe because of that, it is failure we’ve become better at discussing. When greatness persists, or proves to have staying power, it feels almost dull. We want greatness to come with persistent conflict, and we want our greats to prove it, again and again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a prime modern example.
Over the weekend, Antetokounmpo made history. He became the NBA athlete to record the most 30-point games in a decade, beating out the obvious candidates of Steph Curry and LeBron James. That’s over 262 games with 30-plus-points. So far this season, he’s been averaging 32.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, and shooting field goals at a 60.8% accurate clip. These numbers are staggering and yet, at a glance around discussion on the season, you’d think they were hum-drum.
Truth be told, conversation about the Bucks and Antetokounmpo seemed more engaged when both struggled early in the season. Those favourite, swirling questions of will-he-or-won’t-he be traded, or force a trade, rose with aplomb. A championship calibre team doing badly is always news, sure, but when its championship calibre superstar pushes through the struggles to virtually carry the team, we tend to turn our attention elsewhere.
Maybe it’s because the thing that’s given Antetokounmpo another gear this season — rediscovering the mid-range — is a part of the floor not as exciting as the three-point range teams like the Celtics are bombing from, but the bump has been drastic. Last season Antetokounmpo shot 35.1% from the mid-range and thus far this season he’s converting 47.8% of his mid-range attempts (of which he’s doubled, 2.4 to 4.3).
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
Analysis The Minnesota Timberwolves have been focusing on establishing a strong team identity under their current coaching. Their strategic approach is beginning to pay off, as evident in their recent performances. For a deeper insight, check out the full analysis. (The Ringer)
Preview The Wolves host the Rockets in the latest NBA Cup group stage matchup. Read the preview.(NBA)
Preview Emirates NBA Cup play continues this week — here’s what lies ahead for all teams. (NBA)
Roster Before the 2025 NBA Draft, get familiar with 10 international prospects. (ESPN)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s Fantasy Basketball Recap - Hamstrings Strike In Orlando
Nov 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) shoots during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters/Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action brought a whirlwind of performances, injuries, and strategic moves that could significantly impact your fantasy basketball lineup. Here are the major takeaways from the day, focusing on what’s most relevant for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Player Returns
- Devin Vassell is expected back on Wednesday, which is great news for those who have been patient with his knee issues. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson is out for Utah, creating opportunities for players like Colin Sexton and Isaiah Collier to step up. Keep an eye on Johnny Juzang as a potential deep-league add.
- Gary Harris suffered a hamstring injury, which could open up more minutes for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black. With Jalen Suggs also dealing with a hamstring issue, these players could see increased roles.
Waiver Wire Trends
- Moussa Diabate has become a hot commodity following Grant Williams’ injury. While Diabate’s scoring is limited, his defensive stats make him a valuable short-term add.
- Malcolm Brogdon is worth considering for streaming, though his long-term value remains uncertain. Similarly, Ty Jerome had a standout performance, but his shooting percentages are unlikely to be sustainable.
- Naji Marshall and T.J. McConnell are sensible additions given the current absences in their respective teams. McConnell, in particular, could provide solid assists and steals with several key players out.
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.
