The Minnesota Timberwolves have started to put wins together and become a dependable fourth-quarter team. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to have problems, the Detroit Pistons keep rolling, and the Boston Celtics have started to figure things out.
The Timberwolves’ Week Four Games
- At Golden State – Nov. 8
- At Phoenix – Nov. 11
Is this sustainable Timberwolves basketball?
It is a fair question, with the Timberwolves edging out the overwhelming majority of their games so far. The question on everyone’s mind is whether this team can keep the streak going. The Wolves have played clutch basketball as a team with Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Jamal Crawford all hitting game-deciding shots. The Timberwolves have some tough road games in week four, which will put their fourth-quarter play to the test.
The offense is synced up.
The most anticipated Timberwolves storyline of the summer was if an offense packed with All-Star talent could fight on the same team. Over the last three games, the Timberwolves have found a rhythm that has produced wins, with Butler and Jeff Teague placed in the role of facilitator, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Wiggins are the scorers. Now they will play some top-level offense in the coming week, putting the rhythm to the test.
Towns cannot go away.
He was in a really tough matchup against Anthony Davis and Boogie Cousins. Despite the talent he was facing, two points isn’t good enough. He is too versatile to be held to 2 points.
Detroit rolls on.
The Pistons have found a winning formula in Andre Drummond, Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris and Reggie Jackson. The Pistons defense has done a great job playing psychical basketball in the paint, allowing only 41.6 points in the paint per game, fifth-best in the NBA. With enough offense outside from Harris and Bradley, Drummond has eaten opponents up down low and Jackson has done enough to facilitate and give his teammates good looks outside.
Ball’s scoring troubles.
The young Lakers point guard is averaging a paltry 8.6 points per game. While Lonzo Ball offers contributions outside of scoring, he is shooting 30.8 percent from the field and 25.6 from deep. Even with his passing, Ball can really help the offense by finding the bottom of the basket.
Giannis Antetokounmpo an MVP contender?
The Milwaukee Bucks star is starting off hot, averaging 31 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. So far, the MVP tag has been placed on him as a possibility. It will be interesting to see if he can keep this impressive start going.
James is good enough for a playoff berth.
For those who were questioning LeBron James’ ability to drag any roster to a top-three spot in the east, his 57-point game against Washington silenced them.
Donovan Mitchell one of the best rookies.
The Jazz may have found themselves a steal later in the lottery. Mitchell has had ups and downs, but the best version of himself has looked very good so far.
Kyrie Irving starting to take over the Celtics for wins.
The Celtics are starting to win games, with Kyrie Irving’s contributions being the biggest factor.
Can the Grizzlies stay hot?
The Memphis Grizzlies are 6-3 after three weeks despite averaging only 101.8 points per game. They have consistently won games on their defense, as they rank fourth in the league allowing only 99.4 points per contest. The Grizzlies have done a great job clogging up the opponent’s offense and forcing them to play half-court basketball, only letting up 10.1 fast-break points per game. The Grizzlies’ slow, methodical style of basketball has slowed the likes of Houston and Golden State so far this season.
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