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.
Is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ lineup change the ‘magic bullet’?
Timberwolves’ Lineup Shake-Up: The Magic Bullet for Success?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made a significant change to their starting lineup, and it’s already showing promising results.
After a disappointing loss to the Detroit Pistons last Saturday, head coach Chris Finch told the media that there was no “magic bullet” to the team’s current struggles and that if he thought changing the starting lineup would make a drastic difference, he would have done it already. But by the time Monday night rolled around, Finch had decided to shake things up by moving Mike Conley to the bench and inserting Donte DiVincenzo into the starting five for the Wolves’ home game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Timberwolves won on Monday, and then again on Tuesday night in New Orleans. While it’s too early to declare it a definitive success, one of the clear early benefits of the new rotation is the allowance for more flexibility and potentially more advantageous player combinations throughout the game.
More Lineups with Both Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert is a Good Thing
One of the key benefits of this change is the ability to stagger Mike Conley and Julius Randle’s minutes. The pairing of Conley and Randle has struggled this season, with their lineups ranking in the 47th percentile overall and a dismal 29th percentile offensively. By bringing Conley off the bench, Finch can maximize his effectiveness by pairing him with Rudy Gobert, a combination that has historically been successful.
The new rotation also allows Conley to be more of a primary initiator when he’s on the court, rather than being the third option behind Randle and Anthony Edwards in the starting lineup. This adjustment puts Conley in a more comfortable role and potentially unlocks more of his playmaking abilities.
Another interesting development is the emergence of an unexpected lineup featuring DiVincenzo, Alexander-Walker, Josh Minott, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid. Despite limited playing time together, this unit has shown promise, ranking in the 97th percentile offensively and 75th percentile defensively.
As the Timberwolves continue to experiment with their rotations, it will be crucial for Finch to find the right balance and maximize the strengths of each player combination. The team’s ability to adapt and find successful lineup combinations could be a key factor in their success moving forward.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ lineup changes, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Preview of the upcoming Timberwolves vs. Magic matchup
• Analysis of the Orlando Magic’s season and recent injuries
• Discussion on the importance of limiting turnovers against the Magic’s defense
The Cavs, the Thunder, and the joy of a job well done
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | Ken Blaze/Imagn Images
The ESPN broadcast had its usual coach interview at the start of the fourth quarter, but the dialogue was far from typical. Instead of anodyne coach-speak, a smiling Kenny Atkinson marveled at the basketball being played before him.
“What a great basketball game,” the Cavaliers coach gushed. “I wish I could just sit back and watch it.”
As someone who did precisely that, I can say that Atkinson sure wasn’t wrong.
Cleveland/OKC had something for everyone. There were loud dunks, post moves, occasional but far from overwhelming flurries of three-pointers, high-level shotmaking, ping-pong ball movement, and great all-around defense (despite what the final score might indicate).
The major players exerted maximum effort on both sides and played more than their usual share of minutes. Coaches unveiled tactical adjustments at a lightning pace, counters to counters at a rate you usually only see in the playoffs. There was even a lot of zone defense (which, if you read Basketball Poetry, you would’ve been prepared for!). The refs were largely inobtrusive and inconsequential.
Frankly, if you didn’t like this game, there’s not much hope for you.
Something that struck me halfway through an exquisite third quarter: everyone on the court was simply doing their job. I don’t love how that sentence reads on paper; it makes it sound like a dull affair, people clocking in and clocking out before going to a chain bar with flashing neon signs instead of character for their preferred domestic light pilsner of choice.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. What is an NBA player’s job if not to entertain?
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
Preview The Timberwolves are set to face the Magic in an upcoming game. Key details about the matchup include lineups and strategies to watch for. (Canis Hoopus)
Injury Magic star Paolo Banchero is unlikely to play against the Timberwolves due to injury, impacting the upcoming game. (Sports Illustrated)
Personnel Coach Chris Finch expressed high regard for Julius Randle’s adaptability with the Timberwolves, emphasizing his contribution to the team’s dynamics. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Timberwolves will take on the Magic at Amway Center at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Analysis A look at the state of zone defense in the NBA. Who’s running it, and who isn’t? (Basketball Poetry)
Must Read NBA greats think this D-II coach is a basketball genius. So why don’t you know who Jim Crutchfield is? (The Athletic)
Analysis Is this the worst rookie class in modern NBA history? Jared Dubin examines box-score production to compare this year’s rookies to the past. (Last Night in Basketball)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Must-Add Players and Surprising Drops
Jan 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images | John Hefti/John Hefti-Imagn Images
As we approach the NBA trade deadline, it’s crucial to stay on top of the fantasy basketball waiver wire. Let’s dive into the most added and dropped players over the last 48 hours, and discuss some must-roster options for your fantasy teams.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. tops the list of most added players on Basketball Monster. While he’s had two solid games recently, I’m cautious about his long-term value, especially if Jimmy Butler is traded. Remember, any incoming player in a Butler trade could easily take over his role and minutes.
Ryan Dunn is another popular add, likely due to the Suns’ five-game week. However, he’s not a long-term hold for 12-team leagues. Use him for the extra games this week, but be prepared to move on quickly.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is seeing increased opportunities with Paul George out, making him a solid short-term add. Naji Marshall has also been playing well and is worth considering, despite a recent poor shooting night.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wolves podcasts.
Minnesota Timberwolves stage huge comeback but fall to Warriors after late defensive lapses The Minnesota Timberwolves spotted the Golden State Warriors a 22-point lead at the end of the first quarter but still managed to claw back, tying the game in the final frame. But late defensive lapses allowed Steph Curry to lead the Warriors to the victory as the Wolves continue to struggle with both slow starts to contests and late-game execution alike.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have one major area of regression on offense this season... The Minnesota Timberwolves have a mediocre offense so far this season, just as they did last year. However, there is one area in which they were among the NBA’s best last season and are struggling mightily this year. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down what it is, and why it’s so important to the Wolves’ success.
Anthony Edwards drops 41, lifts Minnesota Timberwolves past the lowly Wizards The Minnesota Timberwolves started slow but eventually pulled away from the NBA’s worst team as Anthony Edwards dropped 41 points and the Wolves eventually put away the Washington Wizards.
