Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 numbers that show their improvement

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 05: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw against the Charlotte Hornets during the game on November 5, 2017 at the 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

5. 3-point barrage (sort of)

Okay, so I’m way too young to have ever watched Three’s Company, but I figured it was a nice segway to this section.

We all know the increased emphasis on outside shooting in today’s NBA and it’s been a key factor to the few Championship teams. Unfortunately, Minnesota has been slow to jump on that bandwagon, as they ranked dead last in the league last season by taking 21.5 3’s per 100 possessions. That’s almost half as many as the league-leading Houston Rockets (39.1 per 100).

Those 3-pointers also accounted for only 20.8 percent of Minnesota’s points last season, which unsurprisingly also ranked last in the league. To continue piling on their outside shooting woes, their 34.9 percent connection ranked them 20th.

This season, the Timberwolves aren’t unconsciously chucking shots from downtown, having only averaged 22.1 3’s per 100 possessions (last in the league), but they are connecting at a much higher rate. Minnesota’s knocking down 37.2 percent of all outside shots, good for ninth in the league.

This number confirms a huge improvement and gives hope Minneosta could somewhat hang in an outside shootout with some of the best in the NBA.

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