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.
The Minnesota Timberwolves win their third straight game by destroying the LA Clippers
Timberwolves’ Defensive Masterclass: A Dominant Display Against the Clippers
The Minnesota Timberwolves turned in yet another impressive defensive performance in dominating the LA Clippers on Wednesday night for the Wolves’ third straight win.
Just two nights after holding the Los Angeles Lakers to 80 points, the Wolves held the Clippers to the same number. All of a sudden, it’s starting to feel like the defense of the 2023-24 Timberwolves is starting to reemerge.
Defensive Dominance
From the opening tip, the Timberwolves set the tone with their aggressive defense. Rudy Gobert was instrumental, not just with his usual rebounding and shot-blocking, but also by leading the team with five steals. His ability to disrupt the Clippers’ offense was evident, particularly in his matchups against Ivica Zubac. Gobert’s defensive presence helped force the Clippers into 21 turnovers on the night.
Anthony Edwards also contributed significantly on the defensive end, adding four steals to the team’s total. And finally, we saw the Wolves actually turn defense into offense. They capitalized on fast breaks and transition opportunities, a shift from last season’s more static defensive play and what we saw for the majority of the first two months of the current season.
Offensive Efficiency
While the defense was the star of the show, the Timberwolves’ offense was efficient and effective. They managed to keep turnovers to a minimum, a crucial factor in their success. The team attempted 44 three-pointers, converting 36% of them — a good-enough formula when turnovers are limited and the defense is playing as dominant as it did in this one.
The offensive strategy was clear: take advantage of the opportunities created by their defense. This was evident in the first quarter, where the Timberwolves outscored the Clippers 33-14, setting the stage for a commanding lead that they never relinquished. The team’s ability to maintain this intensity throughout the game was a significant factor in their victory.
Josh Minott’s energy off the bench was another highlight. His contribution in the first quarter (rotation minutes!) helped maintain the Timberwolves’ momentum, providing a spark that kept the Clippers at bay. Minott’s performance underscores the importance of depth and energy from the bench, especially in maintaining leads and closing out games.
The Timberwolves’ recent performances have been a revelation, showcasing their potential to compete at a high level consistently. Their defensive efforts, combined with efficient offense, have set a new standard for the team. The floor of this team should be quite high. This performance is a strong example of that.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
- Analysis of Rudy Gobert’s impact beyond traditional stats
- The significance of Anthony Edwards’ defensive contributions
- Josh Minott’s role and potential in the Timberwolves’ rotation
- Upcoming challenges in the Timberwolves’ schedule and their implications
Christmas lights are springing up, you can’t go anywhere without hearing Mariah Carey, and football players are making snow angels in the end zone. That means, somehow, the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season has come and gone. Let’s hand out some hardware!
Note: these aren’t forward-looking projections for the year-end choices. These are merit-based awards for the first 20-ish games that every team has played so far.
Eastern Conference MVP: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
There isn’t a single superstar in the game as well-rounded as Tatum. His headline ability, scoring, is understated and mathematically elegant. He’s averaging 28.4 points per game by taking advantage of the most valuable areas on the floor: he’s finishing at career-best levels (74% shooting at the rim, the same number as Giannis and a smidge above Anthony Davis), launching a monstrous 10.6 three-pointers per game, and earning the second-most free throws of his NBA life.
But all the high-wattage guys can score. It’s everything else that sets Tatum apart. He’s become an elite positional passer, as we saw in last year’s NBA Finals; he eats defensive rebounds with startling voracity; he’s a mean-as-hell pick-setter:
While star forwards around the league complain about having to guard centers, Tatum is quietly defending bigs more often than ever before (20% of the time, to be exact).
His one surface-level deficiency, offensive rebounding, has more to do with schematic choices than personal flaws.
With apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, doing his best to bring the Bucks back to relevance, Tatum is a no-brainer choice.
Western Conference MVP: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic is currently third in scoring, second in rebounding, second in assists, eighth in steals (!), and second in three-point percentage. You already know who’s on top of every advanced metric leaderboard. The Nuggets post a 129.1 offensive rating with Jokic on the floor, miles ahead of the Knicks’ league-leading 123.7; they post a 96.4 offensive rating without him, a Mariana Trench-length beneath the Wizards’ anemic 103.8.
Frankly, I’ve been writing about the NBA for a while, and despite my pharaonic vocabulary (and access to online thesauri), I’ve run out of ways to describe why and how Jokic is the MVP. When we’re talking about the league’s most videogenic player, just listing stats feels wrong, but it’s also the best way to convey his overwhelming dominance.
Not even Tatum can reach the oxygen-deprived heights that Jokic routinely (and literally!) resides in. The Nugget is the MVP of the conference and the quarter, without question.
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
Must Read Watch out, NBA. The vaunted Wolves defense is returning to elite form. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis Head coach Chris Finch discusses Anthony Edwards’ recent comments about the team being “soft.” (The Sporting News)
Must Read It was more than 1,000 days between games for Lonzo Ball. A look inside his grueling recovery and unprecedented return to the league. (ESPN)
Analysis Handing out early hardware for the 24-25 NBA season, including the rarely-seen “Unluckiest Team of the Quarter” award. (Basketball Poetry)
Friday, Dec. 06 | 7:00 PM | Chase Center (San Francisco, CA) | Get Tickets
Timberwolves @ Warriors
Sunday, Dec. 08 | 5:30 PM | Chase Center (San Francisco, CA) | Get Tickets
TBD @ Timberwolves (NBA Cup: Contigent game)
Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12:00 AM | Target Center (Minneapolis, MN) | Get Tickets
Replay: Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
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.
