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Rob Dillingham breaks out as Minnesota Timberwolves fall in OT to the Houston Rockets
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
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) shoots the basketball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here’s the thing, Scary Terry has hops. At 30-years-old and with a decade of play under his belt, Terry Rozier can cut like a knife, shake loose defenders, deflect, drive, and kick the ball out to the wing on a layup with the court vision still 20/20. He shoots, too. Tidy jumpers, deep and swooning corner threes, tricky little one-handed layups, fastbreak two-handed deliveries, Rozier runs through them like a personal rolodex.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder, for you as much as me, that age really doesn’t have anything to do with it. For one, despite what we’re led to believe by watching NBA basketball and listening to people talk about it, 30 isn’t old. Besides age, there’s a more important personal factor: whether an athlete keeps up. NBA basketball gets pushed in new directions every season as competitive teams break the mold and not yet competitive teams try to keep up.
Optimization is an unfortunate word in our modern and decidedly capitalist lexicon, but it’s what good athletes do. If there’s a skill to develop, they figure out what it is. Giannis Antetokounmpo in the mid-range this season is a perfect and very successful example. The bigger thing these smaller improvements add up to are teams with a depth of different weapons to pull out against the seemingly unbeatable juggernauts at the top. Occasionally, front offices identify what their unique skillset or style of play can be — think the decidedly big Cleveland Cavaliers, or the micro, play-every-position, Thunder — and build toward it.
For an athlete like Rozier, who many were quick to call a Kyle Lowry 2.0 when he arrived in Miami, the improvisation he’s shown with the Heat was born out of necessity but also an aptitude for reading the room. The Heat are a workaholic organization with a next-man-up mentality they don’t just talk about as an inspirational soundbite, but is twined through the fibre of all that they do.
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 topped the Rockets 110-105 in a closely contested game. Key performances by Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley sealed the victory for Minnesota. (Canis Hoopus)
Roster Veteran guard Mike Conley is set to play a crucial role for the Timberwolves against the Rockets. Coach Finch praised his leadership and experience on the court. (Star Tribune)
Opponent The Timberwolves prepare for a challenging schedule with games against the Clippers and Rockets. The focus will be on how they can counter their opponents’ strengths. (Star Tribune)
Analysis The point guard position is in good hands. Shaun Powell takes stock of the position and what the future looks like. (NBA)
Opinion The NBA can tinker with the All-Star Game format all it wants, but there’s only one fix. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Feel Good What happens with the money collected from fines? How the league turns bad moments into good deeds. (SB Nation)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Injury Concerns and Player Updates
Joel Embiid’s ongoing knee issues are another significant concern. With a history of multiple meniscus surgeries, Embiid’s situation remains precarious. His recent absences highlight the risks associated with drafting him early in fantasy leagues. The high failure rate of such surgeries suggests that Embiid’s availability might be limited, making him a risky trade target.
Donovan Clingan’s grade 2 MCL sprain is also noteworthy. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to reevaluate him in two weeks, but this type of injury typically requires a longer recovery period. With Clingan sidelined, players like Ayton and Rob Williams are expected to see increased playing time, making Williams a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.
Lauri Markkanen’s Injury Impact
Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury adds another layer of complexity to fantasy basketball strategies. Markkanen, who has been dealing with back and knee issues, was helped off the court after a knee knock. While the injury doesn’t appear to be a severe ACL or MCL tear, it could sideline him for at least a week, if not longer. This development opens up opportunities for players like John Collins to step up and fill the void, potentially increasing their fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
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