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 haven’t been turning defense into offense enough + Wolves-Lakers
Timberwolves’ Passing Woes and Defensive Dynamics: A Closer Look
The Minnesota Timberwolves are navigating a season filled with both promise and challenges. Let’s take a step back and look at how the Wolves should be turning defense into offense, and where they’ve fallen short to this point as we prepare for Wolves-Lakers on Friday night.
The Passing Conundrum
The Timberwolves’ offense continues to carry a low assist rate through the early stages of the season. To this point, the team has struggled with ball movement, which is certainly a factor when considering the Wolves’ still-languishing offensive unit.
In wins, their assist percentage is significantly higher, indicating that effective passing is crucial to their success. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the assist percentage drops in losses, highlighting a clear correlation between ball movement and winning outcomes.
Of course, when players are more involved on offense, it naturally boosts their motivation to perform defensively. This connection between offensive fluidity and defensive intensity is something the team needs to harness, as the defense is getting closer to catching up to last year’s unit but the offense has yet to show marked — or sustained, at least — improvement.
Transition Offense and Defensive Rebounds
Another area of concern is the Timberwolves’ transition offense. Currently, they rank among the league’s lowest in terms of transition frequency, which is surprising given their potential for fast breaks. Despite having players like Anthony Edwards who excel in transition, the team often opts to slow down the pace. This reluctance to push the ball limits their scoring opportunities and affects their overall offensive efficiency.
The Timberwolves’ ability to capitalize on fast breaks and secure defensive rebounds will be pivotal in their upcoming games. By addressing these issues, they can enhance their offensive output and maintain their defensive prowess.
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:
- Analysis of the Timberwolves’ recent practice sessions and their impact on team dynamics.
- A preview of the Timberwolves vs. Lakers matchup and key players to watch.
- Discussion on the Timberwolves’ defensive strategies and how they can improve.
- Insights into the Timberwolves’ rotation and potential changes moving forward.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. | Brett Davis/Brett Davis-Imagn Images
I was going to write about the NBA Cup semi-finals today but Milwaukee head coach, Doc Rivers, beat me to it by putting it all pretty succinctly with this:
“I mean, we’re gonna bring our wheelchairs to the cup because we have these three young teams. You know, everybody’s — Atlanta is young, Oklahoma is young, Houston is young. Then here comes the old Milwaukee Bucks, wheeling in. That’s what we are gonna be. We’re gonna just wheel in our wheelchairs and come in on our canes and see if we can just play some basketball. That’s what we are gonna do.”
So instead, let’s talk about superstars and trades. Not because any are going to be traded, but because the allure of the possibility of people like LeBron James and Jimmy Butler — people who create their own gravity — has once again hit peak saturation in NBA discourse.
The Heat floated the idea of a Butler trade, either directly or indirectly, and speculation over which team would make a ready destination followed suit. These things tend to go like dominoes — one of Butler’s favourite pastimes — but in terms of veracity, look no further than Butler’s own agent quashing the speculation. Yes, things have read as weirdly remiss in Miami, especially involving Butler, going back to team president Pat Riley’s end of season press conference. In it, Riley seemed to suggest the Heat were behind Butler so long as he was behind them. It’s a statement that should be self-evident, which is why it’s worth taking a second look at.
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 Minnesota Timberwolves prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers in a highly anticipated matchup. Key players to watch include Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. Read the game preview for detailed insights.
Injury LeBron James is reportedly unlikely to play against the Timberwolves due to a foot injury. Learn more about this injury update and its impact.
Ranking The Timberwolves’ standing in the NBA power rankings is affected by the ongoing NBA Cup. Discover where every team stands as the semifinals approach in this comprehensive power rankings update.
Must Read The best defense in the NBA is 4,500 screaming maniacs, or how the Clippers built the best home court advantage. (WSJ)
Analysis Even the Wizards are surprised they’re losing like this. (The Athletic)
Rumor NBA trade intel on Lakers, Pelicans, Warriors, Heat, Hawks and more from two ESPN insiders.
Award Did you know? PrizePicks is the best place to cash in on your sports knowledge. All you have to do is correctly pick More or Less on a couple of player’s stats and then watch the money roll in. Prove your knowledge on PrizePicks.*
Ticket Booth
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Lakers @ Timberwolves
Friday, Dec. 13 | 7:00PM | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN | Get Tickets
Timberwolves @ Spurs
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 6:00PM | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX | Get Tickets
Knicks @ Timberwolves
Thursday, Dec. 19 | 7:00PM | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
What To Do With Portland’s Centers In Fantasy Basketball
Nov 22, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams/Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Portland’s Center Conundrum
Portland is currently a hotbed of uncertainty, especially concerning their center position. With Deandre Ayton battling an illness and Robert Williams III and Donovan Clingan both questionable due to injuries, fantasy managers are left in a bind. The likelihood of all three playing is slim, making it a gamble to stream any of them. If you’re considering adding Williams or Clingan to your roster, be prepared for a potential last-minute change. This situation highlights the importance of staying updated with player statuses, especially when dealing with teams like Portland, which can be notoriously unpredictable.
Injury Updates and Player Performances
Injuries are an inevitable part of the NBA season, and they can significantly impact fantasy lineups. Stephon Castle’s unexpected absence due to a shoulder issue has opened up opportunities for other players. Devin Vassell might see increased minutes, and if he starts, it could be challenging to move him back to the bench. Meanwhile, Zach Collins’ absence in San Antonio means Charles Bassey could be a valuable stream option for those needing a big man.
The Utah Jazz are also dealing with injury woes, with Lauri Markkanen managing a lower back issue and Jordan Clarkson’s status remaining questionable. Markkanen’s potential absence could lead to increased roles for players like Johnny Juzang or Micah Potter, but the situation remains fluid. Fantasy managers should be cautious and consider steering clear of the Jazz’s lineup until there’s more clarity.
In Los Angeles, LeBron James is officially out with a foot injury, which could mean more opportunities for Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht. Nikola Vucevic’s illness adds another layer of complexity, and if he’s out, Jalen Smith becomes a viable streaming option.
PrizePicks: Run Your Game. | Photo provided by PrizePicks
Did you know? PrizePicks is the best place to cash in on your sports knowledge. All you have to do is correctly pick More or Less on a couple of player’s stats and then watch the money roll in.
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.
