The Milwaukee Bucks are now 8-0 on the season after beating the Timberwolves. Coming into this game the Timberwolves had a lot of questions that needed to be answered on both sides. What we saw tonight from the Timberwolves wasn’t the answer but they also showed growth as a unit. It was a better night from Minnesota on the interior defense but it was the second-chance points from the Milwaukee Bucks that helped them get the win. Minnesota had a lot of chances to get rebounds and loose balls but wasn’t able to get things to fall their way. Early in this game, Jrue Holiday asserted himself in every way possible. It seemed as though Holiday was able to get his shots off whenever he wanted too. Holiday got the Bucks offense jump started and they were able to hold a double digit lead majority of the game. Holiday finished with a game high 29 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds as well. Holiday made it tough for the Timberwolves on both ends of the floor tonight and it rubbed off on the former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

 

The second half is when Giannis went into the MVP bag and was able to get anything he wanted inside the paint. On the night Giannis had 20 free throw attempts and that just shows he was trying to impose his will tonight. When Giannis gets a full head of steam there is no one in the league that can stop him and that was clear tonight. It didn’t matter who was guarding Giannis he was going to make it a mission to get to the basket or find a teammate that can help. Giannis was able to notch his 30th career triple double tonight against Minnesota as he finished the game with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. The number that Giannis has been putting up is definitely MVP numbers and the fact that they were able to slow down the Timberwolves helped his case.

 

Bobby Portis came in the game and played some huge minutes for the Bucks as well. He finished with 18 points, 5 assists, and 8 rebounds on the night. Portis was able to hit some tough shots that were defended well and still made them. If the Bucks can continue to get this type of production they will have time for Khris Middleton to heal and come back 100%. The Timberwolves on the other hand were just trying to play catch up as they trailed the whole game.

 

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns led the way for Minnesota combing for 46 points on the night. The Timberwolves showed some toughness in the second half as they got back into the game but they needed more shots being made by the other guys. Naz Reid the fan favorite came into the game and gave them a spark with his quick shooting but it slowed down. Coach Finch is going to have to mess around with the matchups/lineups to see what will work against teams that try to go small on him. The Timberwolves have all the talent to win the Western Conference they have to just put it together on the court and see what can happen. One of the major adjustments that Coach Finch made was playing Kyle Anderson as a point guard. It was working as Anderson was using his IQ to help set plays and get his teammates in position. Overall this is a game that the Timberwolves will not forget as they don’t know what came and hit them. Up next the Timberwolves will be playing against the inexperienced Houston Rockets as the Timberwolves will look to get back to 500%.