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Timberwolves make lineup change, pull off comeback win over LA Clippers led by Anthony Edwards
Timberwolves Snap Losing Streak with Thrilling Comeback Win Over Clippers
The Minnesota Timberwolves broke their three-game losing streak in spectacular fashion, mounting an impressive comeback to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers.
The game started ominously for the Wolves as it followed an all-too-familiar pattern: the Wolves were down by 11 at the end of the first quarter and trailed behind by as many as 19 points in the second. The energy in Target Center was completely non-existent, and it probably isn’t too dramatic to say that it felt as though the fate of the season hung in the balance.
But a bench-infused lineup that included Naz Reid and Mike Conley, the latter of whom was coming off the bench for the first time in a Timberwolves uniform, led an extended run to pull the Wolves to within shouting distance at halftime.
Conley turned back the clock, draining a pair of threes and even sinking a floater – a shot that had eluded him in recent weeks - as part of the run.
The game remained tight throughout the second half, with both teams trading leads. In the end, it was Anthony Edwards who sealed the deal for Minnesota. Edwards took over in the closing minutes on both ends of the floor, effectively sealing the game with a pair of impossible stepback threes, boosting his point total to 37 on the heels of his 53-point performance in Saturday’s loss to Detroit.
Lineup Change Pay Dividends for the Timberwolves
With Conley coming off the bench, Donte DiVincenzo got the starting nod. While the change didn’t yield immediate results early in the first quarter, it ultimately proved beneficial for both players in this one.
In playing alongside primarily bench players, Conley found himself with more opportunities to handle the ball and initiate the offense, in contrast to playing alongside both Edwards and Julius Randle. This adjustment allowed him to play to his strengths and contributed to his strong performance in the crucial second-quarter run.
DiVincenzo, meanwhile, was able to play off the ball more effectively with the starters. This role suits his skill set better, allowing him to capitalize on catch-and-shoot opportunities and make timely cuts to the basket.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ thrilling win over the Clippers, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Detailed breakdown of Anthony Edwards’ 37-point performance
• Chris Finch’s effective late-game rotations and substitutions
• The impact of Naz Reid’s strong play off the bench
Have we already seen a Finals preview to start 2025?
Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
It’s just one game, I whisper to myself, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander launches a three with lofty clearance over Jrue Holiday.
It’s just one game, I say, shaking my head as if to clear it when Isaiah Joe on a fastbreak flings the ball around Sam Hauser in hot pursuit, giving Hauser a ring of Saturn in basketball form for a split second, to Aaron Wiggins, shadowing them, for a tidy pop-up shot.
It’s just one game, I say, voice rising, whenGilgeous-Alexander pins the ball, barely out of Tatum’s hand, against the backboard for a block and then, immediately at the other end, lobs it to Isaiah Hartenstein for a dunk.
Sunday’s match between the Thunder and Celtics was just one game, and it’s only just January, but the contest showed what could very believably be a Finals preview. It also showed how OKC can aim to beat Boston in a series.
The Celtics are a machine, and like a machine, they are mechanical. Their dominance comes through the intuitive, expert understanding of what they are good at and how to deploy it, and what they are good at is launching threes. In Sunday’s game, the Celtics took 46 3-pointers. While they only made nine of them (for comparison, the Thunder were 16-of-38 from three), Boston is still shooting the most from deep in the league — sometimes as any as 20 more than their opponents over the course of a game.
The teams that are seeing success in recent wins over the Celtics aren’t necessarily attempting to limit Boston’s three-point attempts. With so many players capable of shooting the three ball it’s a futile effort and expends a lot of wasted energy. What they are doing, and what the Thunder did, is find ways to momentarily jam the machines.
The Thunder moved the ball more, they pressured Boston in the midrange and under the basket, they looked for any gap in the machine’s cogs they could wedge themselves into. Boston used to be way more susceptible to flustering, they abhorred a team that played a messy, gritty, or in any way abrasive style. It’s why the Heat have been so good at beating them in the postseason, because those Miami teams stopped at nothing to make things miserable and didn’t mind playing knee deep in the muck.
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
Ranking The Timberwolves are climbing the NBA power rankings, reflecting their recent strong performances. They’re currently ranked among the top teams, showing promise for the rest of the season. Check out the latest power rankings to see where they stand. (Canis Hoopus)
Watch With a restructured starting lineup, the Timberwolves managed to turn the tide against the Clippers. This change brought a fresh dynamic to the team. See the highlights of this exciting game. (Sports Illustrated)
Roster Coach Chris Finch made significant changes to the Timberwolves’ starting lineup against the Clippers. This strategic move aimed to enhance team performance and chemistry. Learn more about the lineup changes and their impact. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor As the NBA trade deadline approaches, speculations are rife about potential moves. The Timberwolves might be active in the market, looking to strengthen their roster. Explore the latest trade predictions. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis In a crucial game scenario, who would the Timberwolves trust to take the last shot? This analysis delves into the likely candidates and their clutch performances. Discover the strategic insights. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Minnesota Timberwolves will go up against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
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