After flirting with .500 for most of the first half of the season as they got accustomed to their new-look roster, the Timberwolves are 17-8 in their past 25 games and have won seven in a row. The Wolves won’t match their 56-win total from last season, but they’re pushing hard for a top-six spot in the Western Conference, which would guarantee them a place in the playoffs.
Following the blockbuster fall trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota, there was an adjustment period for the newcomers. DiVincenzo, in particular, struggled in the early part of the season, averaging 8.3 points per game on 35.3% shooting in his first 25 games. Since then, he’s putting up 15.1 PPG on 46.6% shooting.
Randle also took some time to get used to playing alongside center Rudy Gobert, but that duo has gotten more and more comfortable together. The Wolves have won the last 12 games in which Randle has been active and were just 5-8 last month when he missed time with a groin strain.
“We came a long way in our chemistry,” Gobert said after Wednesday’s victory in Denver, per Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. “I would say it really starts with Ant (Anthony Edwards) and Julius. The way they’ve been playing and the way they’ve been making the right play for the teammates has been having a tremendous impact for us.”
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- NBA teams are required to have at least eight healthy players suit up for each game. The Mavericks, who can’t currently sign a player due to their proximity to the hard cap, are flirting with that cut-off and are at risk of falling below the minimum threshold with two-way players Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams nearing their active-game limits. Bobby Marks of ESPN (YouTube link) explores what would happen if the Mavs don’t have eight healthy players on hand, suggesting that the club would likely have to violate the league’s injury-reporting rules by listing an injured player as available in order to meet the required minimum and avoid a forfeit.
- The Pelicans will be missing a pair of frontcourt starters on Saturday night in San Antonio. Forward Zion Williamson is unavailable for personal reasons, while center Yves Missi will sit for a second straight game due to a left ankle sprain, per the team (Twitter link).
- What do the Pelicans have to left to play for as they enter the home stretch of a disappointing season? Rod Walker of NOLA.com spoke to head coach Willie Green and a few New Orleans players about that topic. “It’s different for every player,” big man Kelly Olynyk said. “Obviously for the young guys, you want to get out here and get experience and show the organization, the franchise and the rest of the league what you can do. For an older player, you just continue to build and grow chemistry. For me, it’s trying to build inside this system and get some chemistry and cohesiveness with these guys heading into next year.”
- The Thunder‘s win in Boston on Wednesday was “a window into the versatility that makes (them) so unstoppable,” according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, who says Oklahoma City continues to convincingly answer every question asked about the team’s legitimacy as a title contender.
As I’ve said a couple time I’d actually like to see them move off Randle and add in a SF.
Randle is solid and averages about 20-10-5 most seasons when he’s really in a groove. But the TWolves don’t really need what he offers I guess.
His 20 points per game, come mainly off mid range jumpers. He takes maybe 4/5 threes a game but only shoots a little over 30% from 3. He really average at the line 75/80%.
You don’t need his rebounding. He’s currently averaging a career low in boards, that because you have Gobert and Reid sharing minutes and ANT and McDaniels who both get about 6 a game.
His 4.7 assists actually leads the team but that if anything shows the lack of creativity and need for a better ball handler they have.
He averages the same about of blocks per game as Mike Conley.
Overall they just don’t need his skillset.
I’ve been pushing both Miles Bridges and Demare DeRozan. Miles is younger, more athletic, better defensively, is slightly better taking and making threes, still gives his share of boards and overall just fits better on this team. DeRozan alternatively offers more experience, a better ball handler and good second option beside ANT. Still gets boards, doesn’t shoot the 3 but is good at the line and would help them seal those tight games.
Even as a fallback option nothing else is out there. Jerami Grant might be a better fit.
He is a lot better defensively, takes and makes threes at a good clip but offers a lot less in rebounds and assists.
Ladies and gentlemen your Dallas Street Clothes…