Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: Nov 4 vs Dallas Mavericks

By Alex Monseth

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts with Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after scoring a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Minnesota won the game 104 -98. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts with Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after scoring a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Minnesota won the game 104 -98. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 27: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 27, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 27: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 27, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Major Key for Minnesota: Score Often

It feels like we talk a lot about the Timberwolves terrible defense, and rightfully so. Minnesota ranks 28th in the league according to NBA.com with a defensive rating of 111.0. Opponents seem to score on them with ease in numerous ways as the team has struggled to become a cohesive unit on the defensive end of the floor.

However, through their first eight games of the season, the Timberwolves rank eighth in the league with an offensive rating of 109.1.

They’ve scored on some pretty effective defenses: the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz (second and third, respectively, in defensive rating in the league). The defensive rating for Dallas?  111.5 — last in the league.

So while it’d be nice if the Timberwolves put together a terrific defensive performance against a somewhat bad offensive unit in the Mavericks. They might not have to.

With Karl-Anthony Towns (21.4), Andrew Wiggins (19.5), and Jimmy Butler (17.3) all scoring the ball well in the offense directed by Jeff Teague, Minnesota should have no trouble scoring more than 110 points in this game.

https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/925885023890403332

The bench can also play a huge factor. While their overall scoring per game isn’t all that impressive, the Timberwolves bench has shot 46 percent from the floor (sixth in the league) and 44.9 percent from three (first in the league) compared to other team’s second units.

If we get the usual Timberwolves defense, this could be a shootout, in which the Timberwolves have the clear advantage.

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