Timberwolves Drop Slopfest to Grizzlies

"It's one thing to hear about it [free-throw shooting] from your coach, but when your wife tells you it stinks, you tend to work on it."

--Orlando Woolridge


<--In honor of missed free throws, I give you a picture of free throw shooting prominently involving Michael Olowakandi. Who can miss a free throw? The Kandi-man can!

The Memphis Grizzlies solved the mystery of the 2012 Minnesota Timberwolves, handing the Wolves a 90-86 loss in a often rhythm-free game. For those interested in box scores where a team shoots 54.2% from the free-throw line, see a St. John the Baptist elementary school game from 1992, or see this game's here.

It started ugly for the Wolves, and even though they rallied to earn a lead in the 2nd half, this duckling didn't turn into a swan. Unlike the solid showings against the Mavs and Spurs, the starting lineup reverted back to 2011-mode, spotting the Zach Randolphless Grizzlies a 16-3 lead (which got as high as 15 points) before any reserves checked in. Our squad clawed back, and appeared to take some control in the third quarter, but ultimately did themselves in with poor play and, once again, extremely pathetic free-throw shooting. I don't use the word "pathetic" loosely. A home, NBA team of professionals shot 54.2% from the charity stripe. I don't really know what else to call that without resorting to profanity.

The Timberwolves had several factors in its favor coming in like (a) momentum coming off kicking the tail out of Dallas and San Antonio in consecutive games, (b) a day of rest without travel, and (c) a Memphis Grizzlies team that recently found out Z-Bo is out 6-8 weeks. However, instead of a win we have to tell the tale of a team that lost a game by four points and, in case you missed the part where I talked about free-throw shooting, missed 11 free throws (to Memphis' 4 missed FTs) and turned the ball over 7 more times. In a game where the teams shoot relatively the same rate from the field (MEM-41.2%, MN-40.2%) and shoot identical percentages from the three-point line (33.3%), those free-throws can really make a difference. Combine that with the effort needed to come back from 15 points, and you've got yourself the recipe for a tasty loss.

I hope the Timberwolves can take some frustration out on Friday against a Cleveland Cavaliers team they really have no business losing to.

Other observations:

1) To the casual NBA observer, Kevin Love put up another fantastic NBA performance with 27 points and 14 rebounds. However, this was easily his worst game of the season. Love appeared frustrated from the time he got his 2nd personal foul fairly early in the 1st quarter, and seemed off at several points in the game.

2) Ricky Rubio's minutes creeped into the 30s this game. Another double-digit assist effort (and double-double) from the young Spaniard. Coach Adelman stuck with a Rubio-Ridnour lineup for much of the 4th quarter.

3) Michael Beasley still appears at times to have issues handling the ball since his finger injury.

4) Darko (and company) did a great job on Marc Gasol tonight. Gasol only had 6 points on 3-11 shooting, and I recall two of those makes being very difficult hooks over Darko's outstretched arms.

5) Along with the Wolves "winning steak," we also saw the end of the Loon's Nest air balls; however, tonight's "shooter" selected the layup, so his standard miss is probably worse.

6) Unless the Klondike Bar promotion brings the heat, it will no longer be worthy of my 30 seconds or less of typing. Tonight's Klondike Bar recipient needed only wear a bear costume for a period of time.

7) WCCO Radio needs to check their spots. On the way home from downtown (10:00 PMish), I heard an advertisement for, "The Minnesota Timberwolves v. the Memphis Grizzlies, tonight at 7:00 PM on 830 WCCO radio."

Friday night marks the first time the Timberwolves play a team that they should handle easily in the Cleveland Cavaliers. See you Friday Night!

No Country for Old Men

The Minnesota Timberwolves remain undefeated in 2012, beating a San Antonio team whose Spurs don't jingle-jangle-jingle like they used to. The Timberwolves starting unit played its best game, and the Spurs lost Manu Ginobli to a hand injury in the 2nd quarter. The final score was 106-96, here's the box score.

<-- I'm too old for this s**t.
(Photo: Jim Mone / Associated Press)

Yesterday, I wrote that I felt the Timberwolves had the more talented team coming into the game against the Dallas Mavericks. Tonight, again, the Timberwolves just looked bigger, badder and better than the largely-aging Spurs for almost the entirety of the game, with or without Ginobli. During the stretches where the Wolves couldn't find the bottom of the basket, they did a good job making sure the Spurs did not make up ground.

The starting lineup finally showed up tonight, with each starter putting up at least 10 points. The Wolves shot just over 57% from both the field, generally, and the three point line, and that includes a cold stretch at the end of the game where they didn't score from the 3:34 mark until the final buzzer. However, during that stretch, San Antonio only managed 2 points on 2 free throws.

Unless you were at Target Center tonight or otherwise taking advantage of the NBA League Pass trial (or actually having NBALP), you were not able to see the game. Other than a few instances of poor shot selection and 19 turnovers (which I would discuss more if the Spurs were able to actually capitalize on them), the Wolves didn't leave much to knit-pick. Again, they were the bigger, better, badder team, and they acted like it throughout the game. Given the toll the condensed season is going to have on some the aging Western Conference powers, and the skill, youth and athleticism of our squad, I think we might need to raise the bar a little on expectations this season. The only game the Wolves deserved to lose was the Milwaukee game (which they almost won), and if they had capitalized on a few free throws (the Wolves are currently ranked 24th in FT%), this team would have knocked off Miami and Oklahoma City.

Some observations:

1) Kevin Love puts up another 24 points and 15 rebounds, just another day at the office. Based on his body language during the game, I'm not sure Tiago Splitter wants to see too much more of Mr. Love. I mentioned this in the first preseason game review, but Love's three-point shooting looks very natural this season. As will be brought up often, the front office needs to lock this guy up if he's willing.

2) I was all-around pleased with Beasley's play, but it's clear the finger injury affected his game. His shooting looked the same, but he handled the ball like Wally Szczerbiak at times, and dropped passes like Troy Williamson.

3) I've written multiple times that Wes Johnson needs to (a) get himself open and (b) hit the open shots when the ball swings his way to have success in this league. He did both tonight and played decent defense. I hope to see more of this from Mr. Johnson.

4) This paragraph is both praise for Darko's play and delight at finally watching Tim Duncan struggle. As a fan who always rooted for KG back in his prime, nothing was more frustrating than watching Tim Duncan play flawlessly at Target Center. I always told people that if they thought the Spurs were boring back in their contender days, they needed to watch them, and especially Tim Duncan, in person to see how great they, and he, played the game. Tim was dominated by Darko, and pretty much anyone he guarded and was guarded by, all night. He still looks like the same person, but he's certainly not the same player.

5) Sweetest play of the night came relatively early in the game. Alley-oop from Ricky Rubio to Derrick Williams, who caught it with his back to the basket and tossed in a reverse dunk.

6) Klondike Bar promotion is getting weaker and weaker. They tied two fans together with duck tape for a few quarters. They should have saved that tattoo for later in the season.

7) 4-4 for Loon's Nest air balls.

8) The crowd continues to dwindle slightly, but I still think we need the powers-that-be to partner up with a fast-food provider for some kind of promotion where we get some junk food for scoring at least 100 pts.

Two years ago Timberwolves-Grizzlies would be a laugher, but this could be a good gauge for the Timberwolves if Zach Randolph's injury isn't too serious. If the Grizzlies have to play without Randolph and continue to play with Conley, I would expect a Wolves victory. See you at Target Center Wednesday.

Timberwolves Down Defending Champs at Target Center

While the king was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown..." - Don McLean

The Minnesota Timberwolves knocked down the defending champion Dallas Mavericks at Target Center tonight, winning 99-82 for their first win of the season, and their first victory in 20 tries stretching back to last season. The Wolves are now UNDEFEATED in 2012. The Mavericks looked much more like a 1-4 team than the Larry O'Brien Trophy raisers tonight. Here's the box score action.

<-- J.J Barea's current team looked more champion-like this New Year's Day. (Associated Press photo)

For once this season, the Timberwolves decided not to get down by a significant amount at any point in this game, and despite a few stretches of very poor play, they still came away with a 17-point victory.

This game was as much about Dallas struggling as it was Minnesota putting together a great game. Considering Dallas' off-season moves, including key losses and acquiring tough-to-plug-in malcontents, combined with the Mavericks' poor play to begin the season, I came into tonight fully expecting the Timberwolves to win this game. It might sound ridiculous given Dallas' recent rise to the top and the Timberwolves half-decade-plus mediocrity, but I genuinely believed the Wolves had the more talented and cohesive team at this point. As long as the Wolves kept the game in a place where Dirk Nowitzki couldn't single-handedly win with some last-minute heroics, I felt the Wolves matched up well in size, speed, athleticism, and skill. The only advantage I saw the Mavericks having coming in was experience, but their team seemed hastily put together and full of big-name players who were either past their primes (see: Jason Kidd, Vince Carter) or used to different systems (see: Lamar Odom).

On top of getting a win, the Timberwolves had several highlight-worthy plays, especially a dime by Rubio where he threw the ball between Dirk's legs to an open Anthony Tolliver in the corner for a three. This game was a showcase of two teams heading in different directions: the Wolves on the rise, and the Mavericks on the fall.

Other observations:

1) Per usual, Kevin Love was spectacular. 25 points on 9-16 shooting, 17 boards, and a winner's swagger. The Timberwolves need to lock this man up. Not only does he put up terrific numbers, he does it efficiently, and he's improved just about every aspect of his game from season to season.

2) I don't write about Rubio as much as everyone else, but make no mistake, I love watching him play. This team is a much more entertaining product, and he's one of the key reasons for that (when he's on the floor). 14 points (including a pair of threes), 7 assists, 4-4 on free throws, and generally looking to score when it worked best for the team. Trust me, I'm as pumped as everyone else. Speaking of free throws...

3) I didn't complain much up top because they won handily, but 17-24 for 70.8% is pretty pathetic. The Wolves have to get their acts together from the line.

4) As quick as I am to criticize, I am also game to praise. Michael Beasley had an all-around nice game. I felt he played within what the team was doing, showed great effort on the defensive end of the ball, limited his bad-shooting choices, and had a few key rebounds in traffic down the stretch. In other words, he did what I wish he did every game.

5) Welcome back to J.J. Barea. It's still nice having a guy on this team that tries to get in the lane and knows what he's doing when he gets down there. Speaking of guys getting in the lane...

6) ...just the opposite is Wes Johnson. Wes looks lost this season. Again, if he cannot consistently get himself open looks off screens or just generally moving without the ball, then also knock those shots down, his minutes are going to suffer. Through five games, I feel like he has regressed in almost all respects. I think Coach Adelman should give Wayne Ellington a serious look at more of Wes Johnson's minutes. As for struggling players...

7) As a fan of an opposing team playing the Dallas Mavericks, I could watch Vince Carter do Vince-Carter things all day. My favorite Vince moment was watching him pay close attention to Crunch try to juggle while Rick Carlisle was managing a huddle. I also love watching Vince do some of the things other once-athletic, now-older stars do like shooting turnaround, fade-away jumpers. The only difference is that players like Kobe and Jordan relentlessly worked on their games to hone those veteran-savvy moves while Vince makes those moves seemingly believing that they should come effortlessly.

8) Another nice game for Anthony Tolliver. AT is going to draw a lot of tough guards this season, as he just came off a game guarding LeBron down the stretch only to find himself face-to-face with Dirk Nowitzki. Tolliver and the other Wolves guarding Dirk did a wonderful job making sure Dirk almost always had to look shoot over someone's arms.

9) We're 3 for 3 on Loon's Nest air balls at halftime. Today's "shooter" picked the three point shot.

10) What would you do for a Klondike bar? I think the PR guys at Target Center blew their loads opening night with the tattoo. Tonight all one had to do was drink the juice from a can of black olives.

11) The defending champions weren't the draw the Thunder & Heat were as the upper level looked pretty empty.

See you at Target Center tomorrow night for the San Antonio Spurs. The last time I watched them on a non back-to-back or the front end of back-to-back, they destroyed the L.A. Clippers.