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Timberwolves show improvement in win over Clippers + previewing Wolves-Lakers matchup
Timberwolves Triumph: Breaking the Losing Streak and Looking Ahead
On Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a four-game losing streak with a narrow victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The win was crucial after a streak in which the Wolves had lost seven out of their last nine games, a stark contrast to their performance last season when they never lost more than two games in a row.
Key Takeaways from the Clippers Game
The game against the Clippers featured a clunky and disjointed offensive performance, yet the team managed to secure a one-point victory on the backs of supreme effort and resilience, especially down the stretch.
With a still-struggling offense, the defense finally came to the party, showing grit and determination. Naz Reid keyed much of the defensive fight, contributing with a pair of late blocks and a handful of hustle plays that don’t show up in the box score. His energy was infectious, and his efforts were pivotal in the fourth quarter, helping the team maintain their lead.
Anthony Edwards was once again the team leader in scoring, putting up 21 points, although he was far from efficient and his shot selection was questionable, to say the least. Edwards was 1-for-6 on 2-point shot attempts that came outside the restricted area and was quick to pull the trigger from the mid-range. While his 3-point volume and accuracy has been outstanding, he’s eschewed some rim attempts in favor of less efficient 2-point attempts.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Throughout this rough stretch of play, the Timberwolves have played their opponents close, with games often decided in the final minutes. While this indicates they are competitive, it also highlights the need for better execution in clutch situations. The team has been plagued by turnovers, which have been a significant factor in their losses. Improving ball security and reducing turnovers could be the key to turning these close games into wins.
Defensively, the Timberwolves have finally shown improvement, now ranking eighth in the league according to Cleaning the Glass. While this is a positive trend, the offense still needs work. The team ranks 19th in offensive efficiency, largely due to their high turnover rate. Addressing this issue could propel them into the top tier of the league.
As the Timberwolves prepare for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers, they have an opportunity to build on their recent win. The Lakers, dealing with injuries and coming off a back-to-back, present a favorable matchup. The Timberwolves need to capitalize on this and continue their momentum.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ strategies and upcoming games, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
- Preview of the Timberwolves vs. Lakers matchup
- Analysis of Anthony Edwards’ shot selection
- Discussion on the Timberwolves’ defensive improvements
- Impact of Nas Reed’s performance on the team’s success
- Examination of the Timberwolves’ turnover issues and solutions
December 1, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada/Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
You’d be forgiven if, a quarter of the way through the season (yes), you haven’t given the following teams that much attention. Maybe your main rooting interest has been struggling, and it’s taken all your psychic energy to will them through the slump. Better yet, maybe your team is thriving and you’ve been enjoying the ride. Maybe you’re still looking for a team to get behind, in which case, the following three franchises would make great options.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks being on this list has not alleviated my general wariness of the Hawks as a whole, but they’ve been playing through some of the things that make me doubt them. First, the Hawks love to play up. That is, they tend to excel against technically better and markedly more skilled teams; teams farther along the competitive timeline that I always get they feeling Atlanta would rather emulate than put the work in to be at the same level with.
This season, the Hawks are still playing up — they’ve beat the best in conference Cavaliers twice — but they’re recognizing what should be easy wins, like against the Charlotte Hornets. With Trae Young injured and in and out of the lineup, Atlanta’s bench has provided some of the most needed and entertaining offensive bursts in the league, with De’Andre Hunter back with a vengeance after being out for 10 games with a knee injury. Hunter’s regularly putting up 20-plus points per night, and hounding the glass.
Atlanta has a string of high-low games this week, facing the Pelicans, Bucks, Lakers and Nuggets, which should be an ample test to whether they can play and stay consistent.
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
Preview The Timberwolves face off against the Lakers in an exciting matchup. Key players to watch include Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, as they aim to continue their strong performances. Catch the game details on Canis Hoopus. (Canis Hoopus)
Injury Timberwolves vs. Lakers game preview includes an injury report highlighting the absence of key players. Stay updated on player availability and how it impacts the game dynamics on Star Tribune. (Star Tribune)
Milestone Jimmy Butler misses shot so Bam Adebayo can record a triple-double in Heat win (Bleacher Report)
Monday, Dec. 02 | 7:00 PM | Target Center (Minneapolis, MN) | Get Tickets
Timberwolves @ Clippers
Wednesday, Dec. 04 | 7:30 PM | Intuit Dome (Inglewood, CA) | Get Tickets
Timberwolves @ Warriors
Friday, Dec. 06 | 7:00 PM | Chase Center (San Francisco, CA) | Get Tickets
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
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