Timberwolves

Is Minnesota's Scorching-Hot Offense Sustainable?

Photo Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been on an absolute tear after the All-Star Game, led by a high-powered offense. Not only has it been excellent statistically, but it also helped them go on their first six-game winning streak since the 2003-04 season, where they went to the Western Conference Finals. Anytime you can mention a record coinciding with a Wolves playoff run, you know it means a lot.

Since the All-Star break, Minnesota has scored a scorching 125.3 points per game, ranking first in the league. It has boosted their offense into first in the league at 115.1 ppg. Not only that, but their offensive prowess has led to a league-leading nine wins since the break. Nobody can complain about that outcome. The Wolves have had a handful of favorable matchups, but they have taken advantage by taking care of business.

The Easy Matchups

The Wolves had a slew of mini-series with favorable divisional teams in the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers. These teams are looking for a good draft pick this summer and trying to gauge their youth rather than giving minutes to aging players who may give them a better shot at winning. For once, the Wolves are on the other side of that equation.

They also benefitted from playing the Cleveland Cavaliers when All-Star Darius Garland was out and the Golden State Warriors sans Hall of Famer Draymond Green.

The Wolves didn’t have it easy, though. Anthony Edwards was dealing with knee tendinopathy and didn’t look like himself. Others had to step up around him to keep the winning streak going. Putting the games out of reach through scoring 120-plus even 130-plus points with a capable lead made it easier to sit Ant and limit his minutes when he plays.

Who Drives the Offense?

Karl-Anthony Towns has been on one of his better runs in Minnesota, averaging 26.8 ppg on 56.3/40.4/82.1 splits — not to mention a franchise-record 60 points in a 149-139 win over the San Antonio Spurs. However, it has been an aggregate of D’Angelo Russell and tertiary role players stepping up outside KAT.

Surprisingly, Malik Beasley and Jaylen Nowell became major contributors when Ant was out. Both are known to be able to get a bucket from behind the arc. They are also shooting 49.5% and 43.5%, respectively.

When the offense stagnates, Nowell can create his own shot off the dribble and mix things up for the Wolves. He is capable of getting a bucket and deserves rotational minutes.

How Will It Translate?

The pathway to continued success is easier than expected. Ant needs to get fully healthy, or as close as he can be this season. Players who have been stepping up in Beasley, Nowell, and Taurean Prince must continue to flourish, especially now that Jaden McDaniels is out with a high ankle sprain. KAT and DLo have to stay on track, with KAT driving the offense and DLo getting buckets when he’s open and facilitating others. The offense is always going to be there. The Wolves have been near the top in the league for the entire season.

Minnesota’s three-point shooting will determine a lot of their success. They rank first in the league in attempts with 42 per game. And they’ve converted 35.3% of those, ranking 13th in the league. They’re attempting the same number of threes after the All-Star break, 41.7 a game, but they are hitting 38.6% of them, seventh in the league. If the Wolves find a happy middle between these two samples, mostly with Beasley staying consistent, they will be set up for success.

Shooting will always be streaky, making it vital to get to the rim. Fortunately, Towns has flourished at that. He is second in the league in drives per game by big men and has been at the top of the class, finishing at a high percentage and drawing fouls.

Suppose the Wolves can continue to capitalize on what they’re doing well. In that case, they can be competitive in important seeding matchups with the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks (twice), Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors to finish the month. That will allow them to slide into a top-6 spot or gain momentum to emerge from the play-in.

The Wolves are the high-powered offense that we expected them to be with KAT, DLo, and Ant, but they still have things they can improve. Their upcoming stretch will be a vital test to the mental toughness that a future playoff matchup will bring.

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