After an overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue their five-game homestand with a battle against the Sacramento Kings.
While the Wolves have struggled to string a long series of wins together, their chance to start a new winning streak against one of the Western Conference’s worst teams offers them a good opportunity to start a new one.
At 9-18, the Kings have (expectedly) hovered around the bottom of the Western Conference all year, but tanking wasn’t their plan when the season started.
Trading away DeMarcus Cousins at the at the 2017 deadline was a clear change in direction, as was the drafting of point guard De’Aaron Fox, but the offseason signings Sacramento’s front office made pointed towards a continued interest in competing.
To make this happen, they signed George Hill, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter to contracts of varying lengths.
With the signings, their plan was clear: build the youth they have in Fox, Willie Cauley-Stein, Buddy Hield and Skal Labissière, while keeping a veteran presence handy to compete right away.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.
Randolph has kept up a decent clip of production, but Carter has only played 17-plus minutes once, and Hill has struggled to find his role on his new team altogether.
Through Hill’s struggles – and some injuries – Fox has taken the starting point guard role, and shown mixed results. His speed and basketball IQ have led to some fun plays, but his three-point shooting and general inexperience have led to some painful nights – and stat lines – to start his career.
But when he’s fun, he’s a lot of fun.
The fourth quarter hasn’t been a fun time for the Timberwolves lately, as they still sit dead last in fourth-quarter net rating, according to NBA.com.
The Kings, while record-wise one of the worst teams in the NBA, are in the middle of the pack, sitting 15th in the league in the fourth quarter.
But the Wolves could build a big lead early to avoid any possible fourth-quarter letdown.
While they’re middle of the road in the fourth, the Kings hold the third worst second-quarter net rating in the NBA this year. The Wolves, meanwhile, sit in the top three.
Based on statistics alone, the second quarter might be the time for the Wolves to pounce and finish the opponent off early. But if this season has taught Tom Thibodeau and his team anything, statistics can’t prepare you for the team you’re playing if you play down to them.
Final notes:
- Justin Patton played his second NBA G League game on Wednesday night against the Memphis Hustle. In 16 minutes of play, he finished 6 of 8 from the field with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
- The Kings have played 305 minutes with both Fox and Hill on the floor together this season. Thibodeau has yet to play point guards Jeff Teague and Tyus Jones on the floor at the same time, but could find an opportunity Thursday night if he chooses. Jones spent some time on the floor with fellow point guard Kris Dunn last year.
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