Introducing a new Dunking With Wolves exclusive segment, featuring Site Experts David Ka Wai Pan and Ben Beecken.
The Timberwolves defeated the Bulls. Let me say that again: the Wolves — your Wolves, our Wolves, the Minnesota Timberwolves — trailed, tied, and, in the end, annihilated the Chicago Bulls!
But enough with the sensationalism. Let’s hear what Ben and David have to say. Enjoy…
The Timberwolves were trailing as much as 20 in the first quarter, and won the game 99-94. What were your initial reactions after the game?
Ben: This was (obviously) a huge win for the Wolves, and perhaps second only to the victory in Charlotte as the best game of the season to this point. The ability of the team to somehow weather the storm defensively and flip a switch on offense with basically zero help from the bench was impressive. The flip side, of course, was just how devastating a 25+ point loss in Tom Thibodeau’s old stomping grounds would have been.
David: Disbelief. Was this real, i asked myself. Did the Timberwolves really beat the Bulls? And i’m not talking about a one-point win. I’m talking about a five-point win. 99-94. 99 points!
I was in awe, denial for a few seconds, but elated overall. I was so happy.
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What do you think went right in the second half?
Ben: The defensive intensity that somehow appeared midway through the second quarter continued into the second half, and even when the Bulls took a brief lead in the fourth quarter, the Wolves didn’t lapse on defense while the offense defaulted back to a Ricky Rubio-led pick-and-roll focus versus strictly leaving the ball in Andrew Wiggins’ hands.
David: Wow, I have no idea. I saw a Timberwolves team that was playing solid basketball. I saw a team that took the lead, gave up the lead and retook the lead. I saw a team that played unselfishly and had the self-motivation that was needed to succeed. I saw an unusual spark in the second half, and they won convincingly.
Which player stood out to you the most in the second half and why?
Ben: Karl-Anthony Towns. Yes, he shot only 6-for-21 for the game, but he played with intensity on defense and in the paint — something that we haven’t yet seen consistently from him this season. While Andrew Wiggins did much of the clutch scoring and Zach LaVine (24 points on 10-of-18 shooting) was electric and efficient, Towns showed that he can be a useful contributor and play tough defensively when called upon, even when his outside shot was nonexistent.
David: Wiggins, no doubt! Without his shots, where would the Timberwolves be in the second half? I don’t want to look back. I want to look forward. And I wanted to see a win.
What do you think is the take-home message from tonight’s win?
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- The dream starting 5 for Minnesota Timberwolves 5 years from now
- Anthony Edwards’ latest accolade is a great sign of things to come
- In an OT thriller, Team Canada snatches Bronze from Team USA
- Timberwolves start, bench, cut: Mike Conley, Shake Milton, Jordan McLaughlin
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Ben: I’m not sure there’s much other than the fact that there’s clearly still fight left in this team, and the players haven’t tuned out Coach Thibodeau completely. (Yes, it’s worrisome that this was even a possibility this early in the season, but at 6-18 entering the game, it was, and still is, a valid concern.)
The weaknesses were apparent early and at times down the stretch, but the one-bad-quarter-and-three-good-ones trend was fully on display. This team still needs a) consistent effort on defense, b) improved shot selection on offense, and c) a bench, and in that order. That said, this team will win more than the 27 or so that they’re on pace to win as things should continue to come together.
David: That we’re going to win more ball games. Of course! How refreshing was it to see your Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Chicago Bulls. I was tired of losing. I was tired of the #TurdThird.
I’m glad we won. I’m glad we’re on a winning streak…so let’s continue playing solid basketball. Let’s go!
Next: How Timberwolves, Bulls are living after draft day trade that never happened