Timberwolves

11/5: Wolves Lose Again, Fall to Thunder, 112-92

The Minnesota Timberwolves were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, 112-92.

The loss comes despite a season-high 33 points from Karl-Anthony Towns, who made 13 of his 20 field goal attempts, including three of four from 3-point range, and was the only starter to tally double digit scoring totals. The only other Timberwolf to post more than 10 points, Shabazz Muhammad, scored 15 on six-of-nine shooting to go with four rebounds in just over 20 minutes of playing time.

Russell Westbrook led the way for Oklahoma City, tallying 28 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Westbrook thus far this season has amassed per game averages of 33 points, nine rebounds and nearly 10 assists (9.7). The dude is a walking triple double, basically.

In the third frame of Saturday’s contest, the Wolves were outscored by Oklahoma City, 31-19. Andy Grimsrud gave a detailed description of what happened over at AWolfAmongWolves.com

From AWAW:

Here’s a rundown of events, starting at that 9:11 mark in the third:

Andrew Wiggins (who played his first poor game of the season) was caught sleeping on Andre Roberson who slipped behind him on the baseline for a dunk off of a nice pass from Steven Adams. Then Kris Dunn and Karl-Anthony Towns miscommunicated a post entry play, leading to an ugly Dunn turnover. When Zach LaVine jogged back on defense in Thunder transition, he was not in position to defend Russell Westbrook’s three-pointer.

After a Thibs timeout, the Wolves tried to run a play for LaVine, but it was well defended and they had to resort to KAT going one-on-one. As well as that worked in the first half (when KAT had 25 points) it did not this time; he missed his shot, and traveled after getting his own rebound. The next time the Wolves had the ball it was Wiggins with the careless turnover; a bounce pass to an opponent on the baseline.

LaVine made a nice steal after he ended up on Adams in the post. Unfortunately, he gave it right back to the Thunder with a poor post-entry pass to KAT on the other end. A few possessions later, Dunn tried a 23-footer off the dribble with his feet on the three-point line — not a good shot — and it clanked off the rim. When Westbrook came at Dunn with his patented burst from the top of the key, LaVine helped way off of Victor Oladipo, spotted up in the corner. The basic drive-and-kick — a play that Thibs would like to see more of from his own team — led to an easy three points.

Wiggins tried a difficult dribble jumper that missed and then Enes Kanter drew a foul on Gorgui in the post. On both ends of the floor, the Thunder were leveraging their matchup advantages, whether it be Westbrook’s explosiveness or Kanter’s size and strength. Conversely, the Wolves were not spacing the floor well, and KAT was not getting the ball very much.

LaVine missed a three — nothing wrong with the shot attempt — and then Russ pulled up and splashed a heat-check trey of his own, right in Zach’s face. The Thunder had serious momentum and a happy home crowd. Gorgui Dieng should have been careful when passing to Dunn on the wing, then, when Russ overplayed it for a steal and breakaway dunk the other direction.

Thibs called another timeout after that play with the Thunder up 79-61. The damage was pretty much done at this point.

The Thunder went on to win 112-92.


Kris Dunn, making in his third start in lieu of the injured Ricky Rubio, looked like a rookie in that he made some nice plays as well as some mistakes — typical for someone currently learning the ins and outs of the NBA game. Dunn took at least two ill advised, seemingly forced long-two pointers early in the shot clock. He finished having connected on 2-of-8 attempts, a slight improvement from last Thursday’s loss to Memphis, when he went 1-of-6 from the field.

Taking over for Rubio is a tall task, but it’s a good opportunity for Dunn, as the experience should help to accelerate his development, if only a little. The Wolves really have no choice but to take the good with the bad until Rubio is cleared to return.

Next up: Wolves @ Brooklyn Nets (Tuesday, November 8th)

[A Wolf Among Wolves]

 

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