Timberwolves Wrap: Wolves blast Hornets to make it 5 in a row

It was another fantastic night in Wolves world, as a complete team effort helped the Wolves to a rare fifth win in a row, and an exciting 7-3 record.

The day after a satisfying blowout win at home against Dallas, the Minnesota Timberwolves backed it up in fine fashion again, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 112-94.

It was a complete team effort from the Timberwolves, with six players scoring in double figures led by Andrew Wiggins with 20.

The game started out with both teams trading buckets early. The visitors in particular opened up the game scorching hot shooting 71 percent from the field in the first five minutes, including a number of open corner 3’s.

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The Wolves looked sluggish on defense early, allowing the Hornets to hit 5 of their 8 3-pointers but managed to keep themselves in the game with their own stellar offensive game, finishing the first quarter shooting 57.1 percent.

Jamal Crawford and Gorgui Dieng led an inspired bench unit in the second term, with the pair combining for the 19 second quarter points. Although opening the quarter was spent jostling  back-and-forth once again, the Timberwolves exploded via the free throw line and a Jeff Teague shaped

Teague finished the half with 13 points and 9 assists, a 40-point quarter saw the Timberwolves open up a 68-51 lead at the main break.

The third quarter started off the same way that the game did, with the Hornets coming out firing, forcing a quick timeout from Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau after a 7-3 run. The Timberwolves perimeter defense continued to falter, with the Hornets smelling a comeback on the cards.

The Wolves found a way to steady through Andrew Wiggins, who hit back-to-back-to-back mid-range jumpers, followed by a 3-point play and an assist for a Jimmy Butler triple.

The Wolves run breathed a new energy into the Timberwolves, who finished the third term in emphatic fashion, leading the Hornets by 18 heading into the fourth.

The Wolves had broken the back of the Hornets by the fourth, cruising comfortably to the 112-94 win.

Another fun night at the Target Center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are making the home court a fortress early on in the season.

Tweet of the night

Key Takeaways

• After looking great last night, the Timberwolves looked even better on offense tonight.
• The defense looked better tonight, holding the Hornets to just over 43 percent shooting.
• The rebounding was fantastic by the Wolves against a Dwight Howard led team, outrebounding the Hornets 54-38
• Led by Crawford, Bjelica and Dieng, the Wolves bench kept the Wolves in the game during the second quarter, then held the lead well in the fourth.
• It was clearly an off-night for the Hornets, who showed flashes of their gritty game.
• Five in a row!

Player of the night

Jeff Teague: 18 points (7-15 FG, 4-5 3PT) 12 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 block.

Teague’s run in the second term was the defining moment of the game. His 3-ball and ability to find his teammates in rhythm was crucial to the win for the Timberwolves.

Notable Box Scorelines

Andrew Wiggins: 20 points (8-12 FG, 1-1 3P, 3-5 FT) 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Karl-Anthony Towns: 16 points (5-11 FG, 0-4 3P, 6-6 FT) 9 rebounds, 2 blocks

Gorgui Dieng: 15 points (3-7 FG, 9-10 FT) 11 rebounds

Dwight Howard: 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 FT) 9 rebounds, 1 block

Next: Gorgui Dieng deserves more playing time

Who’s up next?

The Timberwolves get a two day break before facing Golden State away from home. The game tips off at 10:30 pm local time.