Howlin' T-Wolf A Fresh Perspective and Completely Biased Blog About Everything Minnesota Timberwolves

Wolves Record: 12-38, 3 game winning streak

So how about that Wolves fans? I’ve got to say right off the bat that tonight’s game was easily the most entertaining one I’ve seen in 2010. I’m not sure it was the team’s best game as there was some solid stretches of sloppy, almost pick-up type basketball, but I was definitely entertained throughout. The Mavs announcers I was listening to on the league pass feed were talking a little bit about how the great home crowd in Dallas can slice both ways, as a team like the Wolves, who normally play in front of an uninspired crowd at Target Center, can come in and feed off the Mavs fans’ energy. The T-Pups did just that tonight and used it to shoot the lights out. Yes you read that right, the Minnesota Timberwolves shot the lights out. 53% from the floor and 54%!!! from downtown, the Wolves had what I would consider there best shooting night of the season. Shooting at a rate of 60% EFG% will win you a lot of basketball games Wolves fans.

The other key tonight for the Wolves was their defense which held the normally efficient Mavs to only 42% shooting from the floor. The Mavs kept the game close by grabbing 14 offensive boards and getting to the line 35 times as they had the Wolves in the penalty for a good chunk of the 4th quarter. In the end though it was the Wolves ability to continue to knock down shots, none bigger than Wayne Ellington’s dagger 3 off a nice pass from Jonny Flynn to seal the game, and their defense on the Mavs that gave them the win.

Wolves related notes:

• Are we finally seeing what some basketball analysts might call a rotation from Coach Kurt Rambis? The starting line-up of Flynn, Brewer, Gomes, Jefferson, and Hollins is now 3-0 and each of them had at least 12 points tonight. The 4-man bench was solid as well again led by Love’s 17-11 double-double and Sessions’ 9 points and 4 assists. With Wilkins and Ellington chipping in 8 each including Wilkins 3 at the buzzer before half and Ellington’s aforementioned dagger.
• Ryan Hollins is turning into a box of chocolates. Everytime he gets the ball it’s either really yummy or I want to spit it out. Luckily for the Wolves he has been about 60/40 yummy to yucky and is also showing signs of improvement. For all of his knack on offense he is still the deer in headlights on defense. That being said I’m now kind of curious if he really can develop into the 3rd big man to complement Love and Jefferson. His quickness and length is an interesting combo that could become a nice weapon on defense much like tonight in the way he was able to frustrate Dirk.
• It’s official Wolves fans. I. Am. A. Corey. Brewer. Fan. Yes that’s right, me, the guy who was constantly singling out his absymal shooting at the beginning of the season and questioning whether he was a bust. I am now officially on board the Brewer-band wagon. I’m now excited when he gets the ball. It’s amazing because I never thought I’d be here. In fact I would even go so far as to say that Brewer has blossomed so much that I’m not so sure we need to throw a ton of money at Rudy Gay this offseason. In the last 6-7 games what hasn’t he given us that Gay could?
• Jonny had an up and down game at the point tonight. He was +14 while Sessions was -1 in +/- and he did finish with 19 points, 7 assists and only 1 turnover, but he still had a number of times where he beat the ball into the ground with the dribble instead of getting the offense running right away. As I’ve said before the offense is much more effective when Jonny is able to stay at the top of the key and only after the ball is thrown into Al or the pinch-post and nothing is there, then swing back to him and let him create off the dribble as the shot-clock is winding down. When the defense is able to focus on him at the beginning of the shot-clock he doesn’t have many options, but when it’s winding down and they are already rotating he has room to operate and either drive in for a lay-up or floater or drive and kick to Brewer or Ellington in the corner for a 3.
• Flynn, Brewer, and Gomes seems to be working well as does Sessions, Ellington, and Wilkins off the bench.
• In other player development news for the Wolves… how about the team using what they learned this week in practice and taking a handful of charges tonight??? I was very impressed to see that improvement by a number of guys as the team was clearly looking for them and had several successful charges taken. For a team that doesn’t block a lot of shots being able to make guys think twice about driving to the hoop by being willing to sacrifice your body can go a long way. Really if the Wolves coaching staff can instill that in just 4 days of practice I like the direction this team is heading a lot.
• I know winning goes a long way, especially a nice little 3-game streak, but I can’t be the only one thinking that these Wolves have been a lot more fun to watch lately. Not such a bad time to be a Wolves fan is it?