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.
Minnesota Timberwolves win beat Pelicans behind another impressive Anthony Edwards shooting display
Timberwolves Beat Pelicans for Second Straight Win as Edwards Shines Again
The Minnesota Timberwolves continued their winning streak, notching their second consecutive victory by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans on the road despite Zion Williamson’s return to the Pelicans lineup for the first time in two months.
Anthony Edwards was the standout performer once again, following up his 53-point game against the Pistons on Saturday and his 37-point performance against the Clippers on Monday with yet another impressive showing. Edwards kicked off the game with a scorching hot start, propelling the Timberwolves to an early double-digit lead in the first quarter. His sharpshooting continued as he connected on 7 of 11 three-point attempts.
Over his last three games, Edwards has been on an absolute tear, scoring a franchise-record 122 points. His efficiency from long range has been remarkable, shooting an astounding 59% on high volume during this stretch. Edwards’ improved rebounding has also been a key factor in the team’s recent success, as he grabbed nine boards in this contest.
Timberwolves’ Offensive Challenges
While Edwards’ performance was fantastic, the rest of the team struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Outside of Edwards, the Timberwolves shot a dismal 24% from three-point range. This cold shooting allowed the Pelicans to stay in the game, despite their own offensive woes.
Turnovers continue to be a significant issue for Minnesota, as they committed more turnovers than New Orleans. This problem was particularly evident in the third quarter when the Pelicans capitalized on Timberwolves’ mistakes to build an eight-point lead.
Bench Contributions Continue
Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker provided crucial support off the bench. Reid’s activity on both ends of the floor was instrumental, especially in the fourth quarter. He finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds, including six offensive boards. Alexander-Walker had a strong showing in his return to New Orleans as well, contributing to the bench’s continued strong play.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ performance against the Pelicans, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Rudy Gobert’s defensive impact and rim protection
• Julius Randle’s solid two-way performance
• Concerns about Minnesota’s ball-handling and point guard depth
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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 secured a thrilling win against the Pelicans, thanks to a standout performance by Anthony Edwards and key contributions from Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle. Game recap highlights the action. (Canis Hoopus)
Rumor Speculation surrounds potential deals for the Timberwolves as the trade deadline approaches. This analysis dives into possible movements and their implications. (Sports Illustrated)
Milestone Anthony Edwards set a new franchise record during the Timberwolves’ recent game. His historic performance is celebrated in this milestone achievement. (Sports Illustrated)
Prediction With the 2024-25 NBA schedule in full swing, updated win-loss predictions for the Timberwolves provide insights into their expected performance. (Bleacher Report)
Ranking This ranking evaluates the top five most impactful NBA trades of the last five seasons, highlighting significant moves across the league. (Bleacher Report)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
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