Detroit Pistons Hand The Timberwolves Their 1st Loss Of 2023 (135-118)

Detroit Pistons Hand The Timberwolves Their 1st Loss Of 2023 (135-118)

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by | Jan 11, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Timberwolves were 4-0 in the New Year up until tonight. It’s crazy because the last loss they had was NYE against these same Detroit Pistons. The last time these teams met the Pistons didn’t play Noel or Hayes. Both of those players were active and ready to go for the Pistons this time. The Timberwolves were without Kyle Anderson tonight with an illness.

 

It was one of those games where the defense wasn’t all there tonight. Both teams scored over 115 points in a high-octane offensive display. The Pistons had it going early and the player that really sparked their performance tonight was Saddiq Bey who had a game-high 31 points, 1 assist, and 6 rebounds. Bey was hitting some tough shots all night and was able to play with an energy that wasn’t matched tonight. Bey was attacking the inside and outside. When Bey plays with that confidence he did tonight it would be tough to beat him 1 on 1. The Pistons punched the Timberwolves in the mouth tonight as they had a 23-point lead at one point. The 30 team assists to make a lot of sense as that ball was moving as Coach Casey has his team playing inspired ball. Bogdanovic was able to add 27 points on the night and was looking really good on the outside. He’s one of those players that can create his own shot and he made the Timberwolves pay. Hami Diallo scored 18 points in this game and made it tough on the Timberwolves’ interior defense.

 

The Timberwolves’ only bright spot in this game tonight was D’Angelo Russell. Time and time again the man continues to prove that he has ice in his veins and is ready for a moment. DLo was the second leading scorer tonight behind Edwards as he dropped 19 points. Tonight he just wasn’t able to make enough plays as the Timberwolves lost. Anthony Edwards was questionable to come in tonight and he played then left and came back again. Edwards finished with 20 points tonight but it seems that a rest day is in order for Edwards as the Timberwolves have Phoneix coming into town on Friday.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jan 11, 2023 No Comments
Minnesota Remains Undefeated In 2023 By Beating Houston (104-96)

Minnesota Remains Undefeated In 2023 By Beating Houston (104-96)

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by | Jan 8, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game on a three-game winning streak feeling great. It’s a new year but also a new look Timberwolves as Anthony Edwards has become one of the primary ball handlers. The Houston Rockets on the other hand are young but still searching for their identity nightly.

 

The Timberwolves were challenged in this game as Kevin Porter Jr was able to get loose tonight. When Porter Jr is in attack mode it seems as though everything goes well for the Rockets. Porter Jr was taking advantage of the mismatch when the bigs were switched on him and made them pay. The Rockets were able to get out in transition in this one and had their defense determine their offense. Kevin Porter Jr was the bright spot for them with 25 points as Minnesota made it tough on Jalen Green tonight with his 9 points.

 

In the last couple of games, D’Angelo Russell has been loading in that points column, and tonight was no different. When the Timberwolves need that player that can get in ISO and get a bucket Russell has shown up big time. Throughout the season and tonight Russell continued his hot scoring as he was able to drop a game-high 22 points with 6 assists, and 3 rebounds. Russell has been consistent all season for the Timberwolves and he was able to give the Rockets that work tonight. Inside and outside it didn’t matter in that second half as Russell put the team on his back helping Anthony Edwards. Speaking of Edwards he was a game-time decision in this one but looked like regular “Ant-Man” tonight. Edwards finished the game with 21 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds as Minnesota was able to dominate that second half. When the Timberwolves play a complete game like this when everyone is eating their a hard team to beat. Rudy Gobert has been a double-double machine as of late and showed dominance in the paint tonight with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Timberwolves will be heading to Detroit to try and make it 5 straight wins in the calendar year of 2023.

 

 

 

Photo Credit:  (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jan 8, 2023 No Comments
Timberwolves Take Down The Short Handed Clippers (128-115)

Timberwolves Take Down The Short Handed Clippers (128-115)

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by | Jan 7, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Timberwolves have had a week to continue to remember as they’re on a 2 game winning streak coming into tonight. Minnesota has been playing to their competition and has been dominating in every phase of the game. This week the Timberwolves beat Denver & Portland and added the Clippers to that list tonight. The Clippers were coming in on a back to back and didn’t play Paul George/Kawhi Leonard.

 

The Clippers didn’t have much working for them tonight. They did get a good game out of Norman Powell but it wasn’t able to translate into the win. Powell was the leading scorer with 21 points for the Clippers but tonight was the Timberwolves night.

 

In the game, Minnesota was able to take advantage of the fact that the Clippers didn’t have their star players. Rudy Gobert was able to go to work in the paint against Zubac as he showcased his dominance. When Rudy can attack the paint and beat everyone down to the floor he’s unstoppable. Tonight the Timberwolves were able to feed the big man as he was getting alley-oop dunks and was able to impose his will in the game. It didn’t matter who the Clippers put on Rudy tonight as the ball was placed exactly where the big man needed it to be. Rudy was also able to scare the opposing offense in the paint as he was able to block multiple shots. If Minnesota can unlock the potential that Rudy has on the defensive end like they did tonight it will turn into offense. Rudy Gobert was able to finish the game with 25 points and 21 rebounds. Rudy was able to get his 9th 20/20 game in his career and he was a man among boys in the paint tonight. The players really made a true effort to feed Rudy and feature him tonight which was shown to work.

 

D’Angelo Russell played a major part in this game as well with his offense. DLo was able to add his own 25 points, with 4 assists and 5 rebounds tonight. Russell came out clicking on all cylinders as he was making some tough shots over the Clipper’s defenders. The Clippers had Reggie Jackson/John Wall guarding him but once that ice is in his veins it doesn’t matter who’s in front of him. Russell has proven he’s one of the best clutch shooters in the NBA and lives for those moments. When Anthony Edwards went down with his hip injury you can tell they leaned on D’Angelo. Jaden McDaniels was another player who was able to get his game going as he was able to add 18 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds. When the Wolves play a collective game like this on both ends they are a tough team to put away.

The Timberwolves will be in Houston on Sunday and keep it locked here for updates on Anthony Edwards status for the game.

Jan 7, 2023 No Comments
Anthony Edwards Hot Shooting Continues As Minnesota Beats Portland (113-106)

Anthony Edwards Hot Shooting Continues As Minnesota Beats Portland (113-106)

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by | Jan 5, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves are fresh off beating the Denver Nuggets on Monday. Next, they had the Portland Trail Blazers as the Timberwolves tried to slow down Damian Lillard. The Timberwolves got D’Angelo Russell back in the lineup after missing the game with an illness.

We saw one of the best jobs done on Damian Lillard tonight in a long time. Yes, Dame still got his numbers but the Timberwolves made him work for every basket and even though they fouled a lot tonight he wasn’t able to find a rhythm in the game really. One person that did find his rhythm early in this game was Jerami Grant as he was able to start the game with 20 points before halftime but then left the game with a thigh contusion to come back later. I don’t know if the injury had an impact on how he felt because he finished with only 6 points in the second half but he was going off. Usually, it’s Dame Time for Portland but it was nice to see Lillard/Simons were able to get that help. Lillard was slow to start out but started getting to the free throw line in the second half which got his offense going. Damian Lillard was able to finish the game with 27 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds tonight.

The Timberwolves on the other hand were led by Anthony Edwards who has been sensational all season long. Edwards has been the one consistent Timberwolves player who you can count on with anything it feels like. Tonight he was able to put the Timberwolves on his back with ease. It didn’t matter if Anthony Edwards was being double-teamed or not he still made the right basketball play. The growth in Anthony Edward’s game has been on full display because he can get his teammates involved while still trying to attack the defense. Edward’s finished the game with 32 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds.

 

One of the things that stands out the most is that Anthony Edwards has been running the plays down the stretch and making tough decisions. Anthony has been able to make the right basketball play night in and night out and that showed against Portland. Rudy Gobert was able to add 17 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Gobert has been dominant in the painted area but he can be more vicious in the paint with dunks/putbacks. Once this whole team gets together injury free it will be a scary sight. A good sight to see was Taurean Prince as he came right in and looked like he didn’t miss a beat. The Timberwolves have a special treat with a special talent they just have to put it all together.

 

The Timberwolves play against the Clippers on Friday as they go through the gauntlet of playoff teams during this stretch run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jan 5, 2023 No Comments
Anthony Edwards 2nd Half Eruption Helps Minnesota Beat Nuggets (124-111)

Anthony Edwards 2nd Half Eruption Helps Minnesota Beat Nuggets (124-111)

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by | Jan 3, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game on a 6 game losing streak. To break that streak they needed to knock off the Denver Nuggets and the reigning MVP Nikola Jokić. The Nuggets are number one in the West and this was a true test for the Minnesota Timberwolves who were without D’Angelo Russell, Naz Reid, and Karl-Anthony Towns. One person that was there for the Timberwolves was Anthony Edwards as he has become H1M. Anthony started slowly in this game during the first half as he was getting his teammates involved right away.

 

Edwards has been playing with the ball more in his hands as of late which is why we see the uptick in his assists totals. Tonight it was all about his 2nd half and his 3rd quarter where he scored 15 points alone. It didn’t matter who was guarding Edwards tonight he was able to get to his spot against Denver and make them pay. On the night Edwards finished with 29 points, 5 assists, and 10 rebounds. Edwards had some help tonight as McDaniels, Nowell, and Anderson all had 17-plus points tonight. If the Timberwolves can have this much consistency this could be a scary team. Have to also give a lot of credit to Austin Rivers, Kyle Anderson, and Jaden McDaniels who all made some big 3 point shots in the closing moments of the game to clinch the win.

 

The Nuggets have the MVP Jokic and it just wasn’t his night. The Joker finished with 24 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as he needed some more help. The Nuggets did get Jamal Murray back in the lineup and he poured in 14 points. The Timberwolves were able to defend well in the paint tonight making it tough for Gordon/Porter Jr/Jokic to get anything easy. The Timberwolves will be looking to keep that up as they have the TrailBlazers coming into town on Wednesday. Hopefully, by then the Timberwolves can get Russell or Reid back in the lineup to start a true win streak.

Jan 3, 2023 No Comments
Detroit Pistons Hand Minnesota Their 6th Loss In A Row (116-104)

Detroit Pistons Hand Minnesota Their 6th Loss In A Row (116-104)

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by | Jan 1, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game on a 5 game losing streak after dropping a game to Milwaukee last night. Tonight they were facing a Detroit Pistons team with only 9 wins. So coming into this game everyone was expecting a Timberwolves win especially with Rudy Gobert back in the lineup. Well, people thought wrong as the Pistons came into this game with confidence and were hitting shots at a consistent rate. The Timberwolves were leading throughout this game as D’Angelo Russel and Anthony Edwards started this game off hot. They both were able to get anything they wanted inside or outside.

 

The Pistons had no answer for them in the first half of this game. In the second half, Russell & Edwards continued that but the Pistons made adjustments. Both Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell finished the game with a combined 55 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds. The Pistons also adjusted to playing Rudy Gobert as they put Hami Diallo on him in the paint so that they could have active hands on him at all times. The other guys on the Timberwolves that have performed well all season just didn’t have it going tonight but it happens. McDaniels, Reid, and Nowell all could have done better tonight but they have been clutch all season when needed.

 

The Pistons were very scrappy and they played with a lot of intensity on the defensive end. Hami Diallo might not have had the points to be the leading scorer tonight but his effort/energy was all over the place. Hami got it done on the defensive end and was able to create opportunities for his teammates. One of those teammates being Bojan Bogdanović who went bananas against the Timberwolves. It seemed as though every time he was going for a jumper he either got fouled or it went in. Tonight Bojan Bogdanović had 28 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds on the night. When he gets hot there is no stopping him even with some of the best Timberwolves defenders in his face. Marvin Bagley III was another player that was able to put in some big minutes tonight as he finished with 18 points tonight. This Pistons team has a lot of heart and made some crucial plays to get the lead and maintain the lead. Huge shoutout to coach Casey as he had his team fighting tonight.

 

The Timberwolves have to get things back on track as they have a tough homestand coming starting with Denver, Portland, and LA Clippers. If they’re going to be one of the best in the west they have to show up in these big games. It’s tough to still figure them out because they haven’t been whole as a unit for so very long but hopefully KAT will be on his way back in early January.

Jan 1, 2023 No Comments