Less than two minutes into the first quarter of the Minnesota Timberwolves second leg of their home back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks, Donte DiVincenzo sunk his first field goal – a wing three off
of an assist from Jaden McDaniels.
On most nights, a pretty routine start for the Wolves guard and ordinary thing that happens within the flow of the offense.
Bur coming off of Sunday’s embarrassing blowout loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, a game in which DiVincenzo didn’t record a field goal, it was an omen for a team that badly needed a positive one.
One assist shy of their season-high 37 on Monday night, it was a concerted effort to come out of the gate and move the ball. Especially in the first quarter, there was an extremely low amount of one and no-pass possessions.
“Quick decision making and a lot of mixed-action basketball,” coach Chris Finch attributed to an intentional start to the game. “Julius and Ant were really great in that…they led the way.”
Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards recognition feels notable. A Hawks team missing two key pieces descended upon Target Center on Monday night, and on the tail end of a back to back, has embodied what the Wolves have struggled to come up with the energy for as of late.
It’s been a lackluster effort from the Wolves top two over the last few games specifically, and Monday felt like a return to normalcy and a simultaneous pull out of a hole.
“It felt great…the ball was moving,” said Rudy Gobert after the game. “I thought our focus was there.”
The reflection of the ball movement was in the box score. A 45 percent three point mark at the half towering over the 33 percent halftime mark on Sunday; a much more iso-heavy game in which one and no-pass possessions were the norm.
The fruits of the labor were apparent. 70 points in the paint for Minnesota ballooned to Atlanta’s 42, and seven of the nine players that checked in scored in double digits.
“It was a return to our concepts and our free-flowing stuff,” Finch said. “We just have to commit to it.”
Up Next
The Timberwolves will keep the homestand rolling and welcome the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in their last game before the All-Star break.
The Blazers have played well over their last three games, and their All-Star Deni Avdija presents a foul-drawing challenge for a Wolves defense that can get their physicality impacted by a heavy whistle.
Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM CST
