Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Timberwolves Takeaways: Halloween trick-or-treat edition

By Reed Redmond

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the Utah Jazz on October 20, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 100-97. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the Utah Jazz on October 20, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 100-97. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 25: Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 25, 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 25: Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 25, 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Transition Defense: Trick or treat?

Trick. The neighborhood dentist gave us a toothbrush in exchange for a handful of our hard-earned candy…

…Then Tobias Harris took the rest of our candy, bolted to the other end of the court, and threw down an uncontested dunk (see above).

Sure, the metaphor probably needs some work, but you get the point.

The T-wolves’ transition defense has been miserable this year. The Timberwolves are giving up an average of 21.7 points on turnovers per game. Win or lose, we can’t seem to figure out how to shut down the fast break.

In a recent post, I wrote about how important offensive rebounding is going to be in the fourth quarter if we want to keep winning close games. What I failed to note is that we can’t crash the boards at the expense of giving up easy baskets. If we’re not winning the rebounding battle, we need to make adjustments. Let’s drop a couple of guys back and put up a fight on the other end.

Last week, the Pacers and Pistons easily managed to exploit our flimsy transition defense. Next week, we face off with the defending NBA champions. Unless the Wolves can iron out their transition defense, Golden State is poised to have a field day against us on Nov. 8.

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