Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Timberwolves vs. Wizards: Wolves seeking first win of 2017

By Terrence Verwayne

Mar 25, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) looks to shoot as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) looks to shoot as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Mar 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during a break in play during the second half at Target Center. The Wizards won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during a break in play during the second half at Target Center. The Wizards won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Three Things to Watch

1. Bounce-back game for Andrew Wiggins. Andrew had a very poor performance in Philadelphia, going 2-for-15 from the field and 0-for-3 from three for only eight points to go along with four turnovers and was pretty much a non-factor in the loss to the 76ers. He’ll need to redeem himself in Washington if the Timberwolves want to improve their chances of winning.

2. Can the Wolves contain John Wall? John Wall is the heartbeat of the Wizards. He’s currently on a surge and currently playing as well as anyone in the East.

Wall dominates the ball and is entrusted to control everything Washington does on the offensive end. He likes to get into the painted area as that’s where he does most of his damage — scoring, dishing out to his shooters or dumping the ball off inside. The Timberwolves will need to slow Wall down in transition, force him out of the paint and make him into a jump shooter to be successful.

3. Who will control the points in the paint. After giving 32 points in the paint in the first half to the 76ers on Tuesday, Minnesota found themselves in a 26-point hole. They were able to claw their way back into the game in large part by holding the Sixers to only eight points in the paint in the second half before ultimately losing.

Washington is currently ranked 10th in the league in scoring in the paint at 44.2 a game and will attempt to exploit the Timberwolves in that area. To reiterate: for the Timberwolves to have a chance in this game, their focus needs to be on getting the Wizards to take contested jump shots rather than get easy point near the basket.

Home/Timberwolves News