Naz Reid Leads The Timberwolves To Victory In Oklahoma City (112-110)

Naz Reid Leads The Timberwolves To Victory In Oklahoma City (112-110)

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by | Dec 16, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves were on a losing skid but all of that changed tonight in OKC. The Timberwolves showed a lot of heart especially knowing they had to play without Rudy Gobert and D’Angelo Russell. Minnesota had to adjust the starting lineup and other players had to step up in their absence. One of those players that showed up tonight was Naz Reid as he was able to showcase his full talent on display. We saw Reid go coast to coast with a euro step and hit a couple 3 pointers. Naz Reid has been able to step right in with confidence and make the best of the minutes given to him with injuries. The way that Reid has played this season shows that he definitely needs some more playing time and was able to put on a show against OKC tonight. Naz Reid finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Reid was able to punish the OKC Thunder inside the paint and outside with the 3-point game. The Thunder put multiple players on Reid but it didn’t change a thing as he had it going tonight. Reid is a true power forward that can stretch the floor and that helps his teammates get openings for the offense.

 

The other player that showed up for the Timberwolves tonight was Austin Rivers who finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. Rivers showed that he can knock down his shot still and he can generate offense when given the opportunity. Austin hit a huge 3-pointer late in the game to seal the win but he was able to get a bucket with ease. This was a back-and-forth game with a lot of scoring so this was right down Austin Rivers’s alley. Austin showed a lot of leadership tonight and was able to defend at a high level as he was able to disrupt Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey tonight. Anthony Edwards was close to a triple-double but the young star was all over the place in this game. Edwards showed a lot of growth in this game as he was able to find his teammates while looking for his shot as well. Edwards finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists on the night as he was able to do as he pleased against OKC.

 

The Thunder lost another close one and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was at the front of their offense again as he was able to get what he wanted against Minnesota. The Timberwolves made it tough on Shai but he was able to still put up 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Thunder are going to be a team that everyone will need to watch out for after next season but the future is bright with SGA running things in OKC.

 

This Timberwolves team has been through ups and downs this season but they have grown to adapt to every situation with lineup changes. This team has stuck together now with Towns, Gobert, and Russell out of the lineup.

Dec 16, 2022 No Comments
The Los Angeles Clippers Beat The Shorthanded Timberwolves (99-88)

The Los Angeles Clippers Beat The Shorthanded Timberwolves (99-88)

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by | Dec 15, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves are already playing without Karl-Anthony Towns who should be back in early January. Tonight they had to play without their point guard D’Angelo Russell who’s been listed as (day to day) with a left knee contusion. Minnesota started Austin Rivers in his place tonight as they were looking for someone that can facilitate the offense to keep it running at a high pace. It didn’t work out as planned tonight as the Timberwolves struggled from the field against the Clippers but they showed a lot of grit/grind. Anthony Edwards was tested tonight as he was being guarded by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George during the game. In true Anthony Edwards fashion, he didn’t back down from the challenge he embraced it.

 

Edwards was the leading scorer for the Timberwolves tonight with 19 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds on 6/14 shooting from the field. It was a tough outing overall for the Timberwolves as they put out their lowest-scoring total of the season against the Clippers. Kyle Anderson and Jaylen Nowell both put up 13 points but the starters didn’t really get the chance to get involved as the Clippers team’s defense was a little too much to handle especially with D’Angelo Russell. It was tough for the Timberwolves to get a rhythm especially when your point guard isn’t there and you’re missing his clutch shot-making ability down the stretch. The Timberwolves got beat on the 3-point line tonight as that was the tale of the game the Clippers hit 14 3-pointers compared to their 4 3-pointers in the game. When it’s that lopsided in the 3-point department it’s going to be a tough night for any team in the NBA.

 

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George didn’t erupt for many points but both made a huge impact on the defensive end. Both of the LA Clippers stars combined for 36 points, 12 assists, and 19 rebounds with the majority of it coming from Paul George. Tonight PG-13 had a triple-double and was able to get his teammates in the right spots and he was able to defend Anthony Edwards at a high level. Both these teams will be squaring off again in early January as the Timberwolves will hope to be back at full health by getting Towns/Russell back for that game. The Clippers were at full strength tonight and were able to make the Timberwolves pay on every defensive mistake they had which wasn’t much. But it seemed as though the Clippers made every bucket off a turnover and made it a point to continue to attack the basket when the opportunity presented itself. Rudy Gobert finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds on the night as the Timberwolves missed out on some easy baskets in the paint with Rudy.

 

This team’s still learning and they were missing key pieces but when they figure it out as a whole they will be a problem for any team. Next up the Timberwolves will look to get back in the win column as they face the OKC Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dec 15, 2022 No Comments
Damian Lillard’s Record Shooting Night Helps Portland Beat Minnesota (133-112)

Damian Lillard’s Record Shooting Night Helps Portland Beat Minnesota (133-112)

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by | Dec 12, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

Both teams played each other the other night and Portland got the best of Minnesota. Minnesota was looking to get that revenge tonight but Damian Lillard made it challenging. This was a great effort in the first quarter for the Timberwolves as things were clicking as a unit. The Timberwolves kept this one close in the 1st half as it seemed like they countered them anytime Portland made a run. It was the second half when Dame Time actually took over as the house was on fire in Portland. Damian Lillard was on fire as soon as he got past half-court and it didn’t matter who was guarding him. You’re in serious trouble when you have a player that hot and seeing the ball go in as much as it did tonight. Dame was hitting anything that he put up and all you could do is tip your hat off to the man. On the night Damian Lillard finished the game with 38 points and he played an amazing game. Damian Lillard finished the game with 11 (3 Pointers) for the 3rd time in his career. The TrailBlazers made 21 3-pointers tonight and any time a team is that hot from 3-point land it’s going to be rough.

 

Tonight Lillard had a lot of help and it was Jerami Grant who stepped up to help with the scoring. Grant was scoring inside and out tonight against the Timberwolves as they had put Reid, Edwards, and McDaniels on him. Grant was making some great plays to get his teammates involved. When Grant’s playing like this it’s hard to really slow down a two-way player because his offense makes his defense. Jerami Grant is the ultimate teammate and proved tonight that he doesn’t care who’s on him he will find the right teammate. The TrailBlazers made the Timberwolves work for everything they got tonight and it was tough to watch if you’re a Timberwolves fan. The Timberwolves bright spot for tonight was D’Angelo Russell who scored 23 points and was able to get his teammates involved with 8 assists. Anthony Edwards had a down night as he just finished with 17 points but one thing about Edwards he will play his butt off until the final buzzer.

 

It was an off night for the Timberwolves overall as a unit but this is what the NBA is all about. You play 82 games and it was just two games that the Timberwolves let get away as the TrailBlazers made them pay in the transition/turnover game. The Timberwolves just couldn’t stop Damian Lillard tonight and at one point he was drawing double teams that opened things up for his Portland teammates. This is one of those games you forget about and continue to move forward in the season as they head to LA. It will be a great matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers as the Timberwolves are looking to bounce back.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dec 12, 2022 No Comments
Timberwolves Take Care Of Business In Gobert’s Return To Utah (118-108)

Timberwolves Take Care Of Business In Gobert’s Return To Utah (118-108)

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by | Dec 9, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game after a big win against Indiana. This was a big game because this was Rudy Gobert’s first time back in Utah as a visitor after the blockbuster trade that shook up the NBA world. Rudy Gobert let it be known that Utah will always be home as he played in Utah for 9 years. The way he came out tonight and put on a show looked like he wanted to let the current Jazz team know it was still his house. The Jazz did a nice tribute for Rudy Gobert after the first timeout and they gave him a standing ovation. Rudy was able to get a dunk in the first play of the game, which set the stage for the rest of his dominant evening. There was no player on the Utah Jazz that was able to guard Rudy and it was undeniable. Rudy was able to get putbacks and was able to get position whenever he wanted in the paint against Kessler. On the night Rudy Gobert finished with 22 points & 13 rebounds and was able to set the tone for the night for Minnesota.

 

The players on the Timberwolves played off the energy of the crowd but also Rudy’s energy as they definitely had his back tonight. D’Angelo Russell has been putting on a show as he’s proving to everyone that he can be one of the best scorers in the NBA on this stretch he’s been on. Tonight the Jazz had one of his old teammates trying to guard him in Beasley/Conley/Clarkson. It doesn’t matter who’s guarding Russell when he’s in attack mode and he was able to showcase his mid-range tonight a couple of times as he slithered through the Jazz defense. When Russell’s transition sets up his offense like it did tonight he’s special to watch and he’s unstoppable. Russell has been a beast when it comes down to 2nd half as he was able to finish the game with 30 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds. Anthony Edwards struggled tonight from the field but still made a great addition on the defensive end. Overall the Timberwolves were able to come back and get this win especially after blowing a 15-point lead.

 

It seems as though the Timberwolves like to fight back in games instead of hold leads but they’re still getting the job done. The Timberwolves play in a back-to-back as they will be heading to Portland tomorrow. The Wolves will be looking to get another win in the win column as they look to build off tonight’s win.

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Dec 9, 2022 No Comments
Minnesota Timberwolves Get Thunderstruck Tonight By OKC (135-128)

Minnesota Timberwolves Get Thunderstruck Tonight By OKC (135-128)

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by | Dec 4, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game against the Thunder fresh off a win against Memphis. It was going to be the 4th game without Karl-Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves had everything going for them tonight but ended up beating themselves. The Timberwolves established the inside game early as no one on the Thunder could slow down Rudy Gobert. The Thunder had no big man in the paint and it seemed as though Rudy was in store for a huge night. That was cut short as Rudy Gobert got into an altercation with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl where he tripped him and things got chippy. Rudy Gobert was hit with a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game. After Rudy got ejected it looked as though the teams started playing at a high pace, especially in the transition game. As that transition game started going for OKC, so did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he could score when he wanted. On the night Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 33 points, 6 assists, and 1 rebound. It didn’t matter who was guarding Shai tonight he made things effortless.

 

Shai was able to put the Thunder on his back and he showed true leadership tonight. The Thunder had 7 players in double figures tonight against the Timberwolves and showed a lot of balance scoring. Josh Giddey had himself a nice stat line as well with 21 points, 7 assists, and 12 rebounds tonight. Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander together will lead the Thunder into the future and that future is very bright. Every time the Timberwolves made a run in this game it seemed as though something went wrong. The Timberwolves had way too many technical fouls tonight (Gobert – Ejected, Russell – Ejected, Edwards, and Anderson) which made it tough for them to stay in this close game. D’Angelo Russell & Anthony Edwards carried the Timberwolves in scoring as they combined for 53 points. Overall the Timberwolves got out hustled in this one and Shai was able to hit some big shots down the stretch.

Dec 4, 2022 No Comments
Anthony Edwards Powers Minnesota To The Victory Over Memphis (109-101)

Anthony Edwards Powers Minnesota To The Victory Over Memphis (109-101)

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by | Nov 30, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves bounced back significantly after losing Karl-Anthony Towns to a calf strain. With Towns sidelined for about 4-6 weeks, it was time for his teammates to step up and they did just that tonight. Wendell Moore Jr got the surprise start tonight against the Grizzlies and his assignment was to guard Ja Morant. Moore Jr did a great job especially when it came to making it tough on Morant and getting back in transition. He might not have filled the stat sheet but he was able to make an impact from a game perspective. Morant and Brooks were ejected from the game as things got chippy, but before they exited the game, they finished with a combined 36 points, 9 assists, and 11 rebounds. Ja Morant was able to still get to the basket but he had to work for his 24 points tonight.

 

In the game, Morant had a crazy alley-oop dunk that got his team hyped and back into the game. Right after that Coach, Finch called the timeout and that’s when Anthony Edwards took over the game. The Grizzlies were hanging around all game long and when things tightened up that’s when Minnesota relies on Edwards. In the game, Anthony Edwards was using his defense to create offense as he was in the passing lanes and he was getting rebounds while starting the fast break. The Grizzlies had no answer for Edwards as he was giving any defender that wanted it buckets. During the game, Dillion Brooks got into a small altercation with Edwards that got him riled up and that woke up the inner beast. Edwards finished the game with 29 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds but was the focal point down the stretch. It’s to be noted that the Timberwolves got a huge contribution from Jaylen Nowell as he was able to drop 24 points off the bench.

 

It seemed like every time the Timberwolves needed a bucket they went to Nowell and he was able to deliver. The best thing about Nowell’s game is that he can come in cold but shoot like he’s hot. He’s been a true professional and showed tonight that no one is able to guard him one on one when he’s locked in. D’Angelo Russell was able to get his teammates involved as he was able to finish with 10 assists on the night. Russell’s one of the best passers in the game and when he can find his teammates in open or tight spaces it’s special and we witnessed that tonight. The Timberwolves got the OKC Thunder coming into town on Saturday and will look to make it two games in a row.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Nov 30, 2022 No Comments