Timberwolves

Top 10 Weekly NBA Tidbits: Rockets the Team to Beat the Warriors?

The Minnesota Timberwolves seem to be coming back to earth, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to struggle and The Beard is still making 3s — lots of them. Here are the top storylines in the NBA, along with who and what to watch this week:

Upcoming Timberwolves Games:

  • Nov. 13 – @ Utah
  • Nov. 15 – vs. San Antonio
  • Nov. 17 – @ Dallas
  • Nov. 19 – vs. Detroit

Timberwolves Need Better Perimeter Defense

Although the Phoenix Suns shot only 38.5 percent from downtown as a team, the Timberwolves really struggled to defend the deep shot. Of the four Suns players who took more than one 3-pointer, Devin Booker, Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss shot 55.6, 40, and 75 percent respectively.

The Timberwolves will have to adjust their defense to keep two or three players from burning them deep throughout a game. Either the players will have to close out better, or play tighter on their man-to-man assignments.

Dennis Smith Jr. Still Very Much a Part of the Rookie of the Year Race.

Tyus Jones Has to Become a Factor

Yet again, Jones played plenty of minutes, getting 17:13 against the Suns, but only produced two points and three rebounds. He took a mere three shots and failed to make it to the free-throw line.

If he is not going to take shots, he should facilitate more by grabbing stats in other categories. He could try to find his way to the line, or maybe try to make his mark in the pick and roll game.

Boston’s Rise Continues

After losing Gordon Hayward to a gruesome opening-day injury, the Boston Celtics started out 0-2. They have since gone on a 12-game run, including a two-game streak without Kyrie Irving.

Youngsters Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart have looked great on both sides of the ball, growing into two-way studs instead of just defensive pieces. Rookie Jayson Tatum has also shined, averaging 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in the first 14 games. Al Horford has also continued to be an impact player, continuing the play he’s shown since his opening years in Atlanta. The game against the Warriors will provide a good litmus test for the Celtics.

Game to Watch: Washington @ Toronto — Sunday, Nov. 19; 2:30 p.m.

The backcourts of John Wall and Bradley Beal against DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry will create fireworks for the night between two teams vying for top playoff spots.

Demarcus Cousins Could Play His Way into the MVP Race

The big man is averaging 28.7 points, 13.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.8 blocks this season.

The Rockets Continue to Impress

The Houston Rockets are supposed to be good, but the extent to which they keep winning has been a bit surprising. Even with new point guard Chris Paul sitting out for all but three quarters of the opening game, they have achieved an 11-3 record. James Harden has been great again, but Eric Gordon’s rise to earn a starting role and the leap from Clint Capela have been key to the Rockets success. The key for the Rockets will be the continued growth around Harden.

Timberwolves Winning the Games They Should

The Timberwolves dropped a game to the Suns that they should have won, but now they have a shot at redemption playing the Rudy Gobert-less Jazz and the Mavericks in the coming week. These are two teams the Timberwolves should be able to handle.

Kyle Kuzma: The Scoring Hope for the Lakers?

After two weeks, the excuse was still that he was a rookie. After three it was the Los Angeles Lakers are a bad team. Now after four weeks of disappointing Lonzo Ball – even after Saturday’s triple-double – it is time to put aside the excuses and ask, is Kyle Kuzma the best scorer of the young Lakers?

Ball is showing 31.4 percent on 12 shots per game. Kuzma has now seen his minutes increase to 30.9 per game and responded with 51.6 percent shooting on his 11.8 shots per game. He posts 15.2 points per game along with 6.8 rebounds. Kuzma is the main threat to score when the Lakers roll into town, at least amongst the rookies.

Timberwolves Fans, Stay Away from the Panic Button

The two losses are fresh, but this team has gone on a five-game run, defeated good teams and only have as many losses as the Spurs. They will be fine, and a 7-5 start is far better than most were anticipating in the first month, especially when considering the new roster. Watch this Karl-Anthony Towns block, have fun and stay calm.


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