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Timberwolves’ rival’s perspective: Tobias Harris key for Pistons

By Brian Sampson

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 23: Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 23, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 23: Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 23, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Rod Beard, a Detroit Pistons writer for The Detroit News, was kind enough to answer three questions about the Minnesota Timberwolves matchup against the Pistons.

The Minnesota Timberwolves play their second consecutive game on Wednesday night and their second straight against a Central Division foe. Hopefully, the outcome will be a bit different this time around. Here’s an inside look at how the Pistons might attack the Timberwolves.

1. Tobias Harris is off to a career start scoring the ball, how have the Pistons featured him in their offense so far?

Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard):  The Pistons have moved Tobias Harris into the starting lineup as a versatile power forward at 6-foot-9, who switches to small forward at times. In that spot, he’s been used a little more in the 1-3 pick-and-roll with Reggie Jackson, which has worked well. He’s also getting deeper on his drives and pulling up more.

Brian Sampson (@BrianSampsonNBA): Harris’ improved ability to knock down 3’s so far this season has been extremely noticeable. He’s taking, and making, more than any other time in his career. He’s been able to get these open looks by popping after setting a ball-screen. Detroit will be smart to continue to utilize him in this manner.

2. What will be Detroit’s gameplan against the Timberwolves? What weaknesses of Minnesota will they exploit?

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Rod: The Wolves are a bit tougher, longer and more athletic than last year, with the additions of Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson. The Pistons likely will try to make them guard the high pick-and-roll consistently and get dribble-handoffs from Andre Drummond to Avery Bradley, which they’ve featured a lot in the first four games.

Brian: One of the main ways the Indiana Pacers were able to hurt the Timberwolves was off a pop from their big man after setting the ball-screen. Detroit won’t be able to replicate that success as they have Andre Drummond at center. However, they can still utilize the pick-and-roll by putting Towns in that position over and over again. They might even be smart to try screening off ball and force Towns to switch onto Harris before Harris sets the ball screen.

3. If you were the head coach of the Timberwolves, how would you exploit the Pistons?

Rod: The Pistons seem to have trouble with stretch big men — and Karl-Anthony Towns fits that bill. Just as Drummond had trouble with Joel Embiid on Monday, keeping him away from the rim and making him guard on the perimeter generally puts opposing teams in a position to get more rebounds.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: Oct. 25 at Detroit Pistons

Brian: The Timberwolves will be smart to allow Towns to go to work on the perimeter against Drummond. That doesn’t mean he has to take perimeter shots, that’s just where he should begin the possession and it will allow him to use his athletic advantage and get into the lane.

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