The Timberwolves came into tonight’s game knowing 2 things. The first thing they knew was they were going to be the 6th seed in the conference and 2nd they knew that they would be resting their starters as they prepare for the NBA Playoffs.
The Pelicans are out of playoff contention but they were able to showcase the future for Pelicans fans with the bright spots from Derrick Queen/Jeremiah Fear.
Coming into tonight‘s game the Minnesota Timberwolves were gonna be playing without Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, two of their best players that they depend on nightly as two-way players. The symbols are struggled as of late without Jaden McDaniels defense, and has showed in recent games against Detroit and now against Charlotte. With a couple of games left in the season it seems like the Timberwolves are looking at making sure that the team is ready for the playoffs instead of forcing them into action to re-aggravate an injury.
The Timberwolves were struggling offensively until Bones Hyland came in the game and got it going. Bones has been able to be a breath of fresh air coming off the bench since the departure of Rob Dillingham and he’s making Chris Finch look like a pure genius. The Charlotte Hornets had no answer for him tonight as bones was able to finish the game with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Once Bones got it going it going then that opened the door for Julius Randle to start getting into bully mode. Randall was able to get whatever he wanted tonight inside and outside, but he’s amazing at creating contact to get to the free throw line. Randle finished the game with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Hornets were able to slow down the Timberwolves in that second half with adjustments and they out hustled them to every rebound.
LaMelo Ball went nuclear tonight from three-point line against the Timberwolves and it seemed like every single time the Hornets missed the first shot. Lamelo Ball hit 7 three points and finished the game with 35 points. They were able to get the rebound to get a second shot too many times and at one point Coby White was able to get a five point play by itself and that seemed to really swing the momentum to the Hornets direction. Minnesota beat themselves tonight with lack of rebounds and too many turnovers in the wrong moments. Hornets had 4 players in double figures and Ball made the Wolves pay tonight.
Once the Timberwolves are back full strength, this shouldn’t be an issue as Anthony Edwards and Jada McDaniel will be back inserted into the lineup. The Timberwolves hit the road as they’re going to Indiana to play the Pacers as they look to stay locked into that 6th seed or better with this playoff push.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game shorthanded as they didn’t have Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu. The Detroit Pistons are obviously still missing their MVP candidate Cade Cunningham who we wish a speedy recovery.
This was one of those grind out games. Both teams were struggling from the field to make anything work offensively. Tobias Harris was one of the few players I was able to get to his spot still and be able to create offense whenever he needed to in the mid range game. Harris finished the game at 18 points and led all Detroit players and scoring tonight.
Jalen Duren had 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists as the All-Star was able to help the Detroit Pistons get the win defensively against Minnesota. It was special scene Jalen Duren go against Rudy Gobert as the two I’ve been at the top of the game as some of the best centers in the NBA. Jalen Duren’s team might’ve won the game but Rudy Gobert had the better individual game tonight.
Rudy Gobert had 14 points and 12 rebounds but was able create space for his teammates to make baskets with his movement without the ball. One of his teammates that he got loose tonight was Donte DiVincenzo who was able to find his rhythm. It was really good to see some shots going down for him and the Wolves will need that down the stretch. Tonight Donte finished with 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
tonight the Timberwolves didn’t have the full fire power when they needed to make some shots. Detroit Pistons has seven players and double figures today and that’s what her Minnesota and the long run as the Pistons bench was able to score at a high clip to help their starters out.
The symbols look rebound as they hit the road and will be back home on Easter Sunday to take on the Hornets.
AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn
The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game after beating ATL (138-116). Anthony Edwards had 30 points but coming into the game against Portland tonight he was a game time decision with an illness which he did play.
The Timberwolves were in control of this game from the opening tip. It started with the play of Jaden McDaniels who was able to use his defense to create offense. It has been amazing watching Jaden McDaniels flourish on the offensive end this season and the Trail Blazers were victim to that tonight. Jaden McDaniels finished with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists as he set the tone all game long. Jaden McDaniels had the Camara assignment with him coming off his 30 point performance and held him to 9 points tonight. When Seatbelt McDaniels is in full effect it’s tough for any team to matchup with Minnesota.
Julius Randle was able to have a monster game as well finishing with 41 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists tonight. With Edwards under the weather Randle took on the larger offensive role and no one on Portland was able to stop him. Randle was giving the Trail Blazers the business all night long inside and out. Randle was in complete bully ball mode and was able to shut the door on Portland instantly. Randle showed a lot of leadership tonight with his hustle plays and willingness to be a playmaker. JR finished his night on a monster dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy and giving him a standing ovation.
Rudy Gobert made his presence known in this matchup as he was able to finish with 17 points. He made the Trail Blazers pay at the free throw line and was able to hold Clingan under 10 points. When Rudy plays like this the Timberwolves are hard to beat. Rudy was a true force in this game and showed that he can stop some of the other bigs in the league.
Anthony Edwards wasn’t 100% at all tonight but still gave all the effort he could to his teammates tonight. Ant was able to knock down his shot but the energy wasn’t all there. It will be interesting to see if he plays in the All Star Game on Sunday or if he will take it easy as he’s been banged up. The real prize is the NBA Championship and with 26 games in the 2nd half Minnesota will need their All Star for a championship run.
Portland’s bright spot for tonight was Jrue Holiday as he finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Every time the Trail Blazers got close it was with Jrue in the game as he was able to penetrate and hit timely jumpers. At the end it wasn’t enough as Randle’s 23 point 4th quarter shut the door on this one.
The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game with 2 straight wins against Golden State/Dallas. OKC came into town short handed as they were without Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso from their main rotational guys.
The Timberwolves took it to the Thunder tonight as it started with Anthony Edwards. When he’s aggressive and attacking the team plays a totally different way. Edwards was able to get the 3 point shot rolling early and when he does that teams aren’t able to trap him. Edwards kept his foot on the gas against OKC as he finished with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The player of the game for Minnesota was Jaden McDaniels. He was able to play a masterful game on both ends of the floor. Jaden shot 8/11 from the field and he was able to hit some big shots when it mattered the most. Jaden had to defend Shai as well tonight even though SGA finished with 30 points he had to work. Some of the things that Jaden was able to do defensively with his reach and deflections was extremely impressive.
The Timberwolves had 6 players in double figures and it has been huge when someone on the bench responds. Tonight it was Naz Reid with his 18 points and last game it was Bones Hyland. When the Timberwolves are connected like this offensively it shows that they can be special.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were coming into tonight‘s game against the Chicago Bulls after a tough loss on the road in Utah. The Timberwolves were looking to bounce back in a big way as they were back at home for the first time in two weeks.
The Chicago Bulls on the other hand, we’re getting they’re All-Star type caliber player Josh Giddey back in the lineup as he’s been day-to-day.
The game started off close, but it turned out to be a little tougher for the Timberwolves as Anthony Edwards had two fouls in the first four minutes of the game. With Anthony Edwards being in foul trouble a lot of the scoring burden was on the shoulders of Naz Reid and Julius Randle. Both Naz and Julius had their offensive game going tonight and we’re able to make some plays to keep the Timberwolves in the mix.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were up by 14 points at one point in time in the game, but the Bulls were able to storm back. Coby White had a team high 22 points tonight and was able to make some big shots down the stretch against the Timberwolves defense when they made some mistakes. Josh Giddey came back in a big way adding 21 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
The Chicago Bulls had 49 bench points compared to the Timberwolves 28 bench points. The Timberwolves have to get a lot more out of their second unit because they can’t depend on Naz Reids greatness every single night off the bench.
It’s a make a miss league and if Naz had a bad game right now, it would definitely hurt the Timberwolves winning percentage overall because he’s not important. Reid Scored 20 points tonight for the Timberwolves and was able to get his three-point shot going and he was able to maximize the mismatch in the paint against Jones throughout the night.
Anthony Edwards struggled to get a rhythm tonight as the only finish with 20 points due to being in foul trouble. When Anthony Edwards was in the game he was able to score whenever you wanted against Chicago. Julius Randle had 30 points tonight, but admitted that the Timberwolves lost the game on the defense event when it counted the most.
The Chicago Bulls were able to make some huge shots down the stretch and that’s honestly the difference of the game. Minnesota will be looking to bounce back as they have a back to back against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday and Monday. Look for Anthony Edwards to be extremely aggressive after the limited playing time tonight against Chicago.
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