OKC Thunder vs Timberwolves Preview: clash of division rivals each seeking to improve chemistry
Three Keys:
TimberPup Grows Up:
Presumption for many on who the Wolves most important player is would be Butler or Towns. Yet it may well be the Wolves iron man. Having missed just one game in three seasons Wiggins could prove to be the difference in Minnesota , not only reaching but advancing in the playoffs .
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Quite frankly Andrew Wiggins suffered a bit of a bad rap with fans and critics alike bemoaning his defense. Despite playing alongside Towns and high flyer LaVine it was Wiggins who carried a larger burden for the Wolves.
In fact, his role was much closer to Westbrook’s. On a nightly basis the Canadian was assigned the opponent’s toughest guard or wing player. More often than not, it was Wiggins tasked at end game situations with playmaking and often taking the clutch shot. That’s a heavy load on a player surrounded by youth.
With Thibs adding veteran talent, namely Jimmy Butler, it’s Wiggins who benefits most. First of all, after three seasons spent playing small forward AW returns to his more natural shooting guard role. Moreover, with Butler paired up with the Canadian it means Wiggins won’t be taxed with the toughest defensive task nor will he receive quite as many double teams.
Recently Minnesota committed to the youngster via $148 million rookie extension. I’ve often opined Wiggins reminded me of a young Latrell Spreewell in terms of his body shape and myriad of tools. With the youngster showing up this season with his hair similarly braided, now I can’t shake that comparison from my mind.
Key Statistics:
Last season both squads had their issues with the perimeter. The Wolves ranked 20th in 3-point efficiency, but 30th in both attempts and makes. They’ve since added perennial Sitxh Man Jamal Crawford who can hit a hot streak and light up the perimeter. Still, unless the core group of Butler, Wiggins and Towns also hit from deep the squad may suffer with floor spacing issues since Taj Gibson limits the Wolves ability to fully capitalize.
Likewise the Thunder had issues from behind the arc ranking 30th in efficiency, but took enough treys to rank 26th in made three-point shots.
Where the teams vary is the Wolves were solid offensively last season ranking 10th but abysmal defensively ranking 27th. The other issue was clutch time when Minnesota had issues closing games.
Alternatively the Thunder ranked 10th in defense and 16th on offense. This by virtue of the MVP season Westbrook unleashed on the Association.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are 1-1. Here's how all their players have fared in TPA thus far: pic.twitter.com/4jjm4sS4e2
— NBA Math (@NBA_Math) October 22, 2017
Key To the Win:
Although the squads enter with identical records both have appeared shaky at times in their brief forays into the 2017-18 campaign. For Minnesota they are integrating several veterans and floor spacing remains an issue. But, the most important aspect of the Wolves growth this season will be how well they defend. In the 2-game small sample size they’ve demonstrating improvements. More impressive considering their 19th rank, after playing two defensive minded squads (Spurs, Jazz) to a split with an opportunity to win both games.
The Thunder rank 4th defensively, and not surprisingly their issues lie on the opposite end of the court where they are still in search of flow, rhythm and chemistry. OKC rank 27th on offense through two games while the new look Wolves rank 17th.
Both teams sought improvements behind the arc and each are experiencing different degrees of success. Minnesota’s shooting efficiency ranks 11th, but is not attempting (28th) or completing enough shots (27th). Conversely, the Thunder’s efficiency is poor (23rd), but they take enough treys (5th) to find themselves ranked12th in makes.
The other interesting development is the Wolves total rebounding ranked 25th (29th in defensive boards) last season. Conversely, the Thunder sat atop the ladder in rebounding (7th in defensive boards).
Granted it’s a small sample size, but the Wolves have climbed to 22nd in total and defensive boards. while the OKC Thunder have plummeted to 27th (29th in defensive boards).