The sentence is a little crazy, but it is very real: the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves today – Tuesday, November 30, 2021 – in sixth place in the Western Conference. Sixth, like 6, like Top 6, like… Playoffs! Well we are not there eh and the classification is very tight, but in Minnesota it is rare enough to be underlined.
Seven wins in eight games. Unbeaten for five meetings at home. Positive results with eleven wins for ten losses. And sixth place in the West. Yes, we are talking about Wolves, who went to seek a new win last night on their floor against the Pacers 100-98, under the impetus of a Karl-Anthony Towns possessed in the second half (32 points in 32 minutes overall) and his friends Anthony Edwards (21 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) and D’Angelo Russell (21 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists). A little more and the Minnesota franchise will hang a banner from the ceiling of the Target Center. We are laughing, but we must say that Wolves are not making anyone laugh at the moment. Looking for at least a place in the play-in tournament this year after having chained the seasons of misery, the Wolves are today on a big dynamic while they seemed left for a campaign well slammed. We remind you that not long ago, Minny had lost eight out of nine games for an overall record of four wins for nine losses. The excitement of the first games of the season (Wolves had started the regular with three wins in four games) was only a distant memory, and the old demons were officially back in Minneapolis. But as of this writing, these old demons are tamed by a particularly strong Minnesota team in their own half.
Incredible But True (Ranking Via ESPN)
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The Wolves are now seventh in the NBA in defensive efficiency (105 points conceded for 100 possessions) and that honestly, we had not seen it coming. Just for information, last year, the Wolves finished… 28th in the League in this category. Hello the jump of madness! If the “Big Three” of the KAT – Edwards – DLo team is more renowned for his offensive qualities, if Ant-Man continues the highlights through his overpowered tomars (cuckoo Gabe Vincent), Minnesota is building its current success in defense while the attack still tends to grope (20th offensive efficiency). There are a few defensive specialists in the group (Josh Okogie, Jaden McDaniels, Jarred Vanderbilt, Pat Beverley even if he is in the infirmary), but it is especially the collective importance given to defense that is pleasant to see. . With leaders who do their part of the job. KAT has raised the tone, Edwards uses his strong athleticism to impact defense, and even Russell does the job. This solidity in defense makes us want to believe in these Wolves. To believe in their ability to achieve good results over time. Admittedly, they had a soft spot recently in Charlotte (loss 133-115) but one has the impression that an interesting foundation is being laid within the group of Chris Finch. So, can Wolves 2021-22 be different from previous versions which could show good things for two weeks before collapsing completely? We will very quickly have concrete answers because the Wolves calendar for the end of the year is – how to say – rather hard …
- @ Washington (01/12)
- @ Brooklyn (03/12)
- vs Atlanta (07/12)
- vs Utah (08/12)
- vs Cleveland (10/12)
- @ Portland (12/12)
- @ Denver (15/12)
- vs Los Angeles Lakers (12/17)
- vs Dallas (19/12)
- @ Dallas (21/12)
- @ Utah (23/12)
- vs Boston (27/12)
- vs New York (28/12)
- @ Utah (31/12)
- @ Los Angeles Lakers (02/01)
- @ Los Angeles Clippers (03/01)
Once again viewed as a dysfunctional franchise after the surprise dismissal of general manager Gersson Rosas last September, Wolves are today a winning team. Until when ? You have to see, but it is clear that the Wolves are showing their fangs.
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