Dunking With Wolves
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5 keys to the Timberwolves early success

By Adam Ziobrowski

DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on November 17, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on November 17, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 13: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up court in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 13, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 13: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up court in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 13, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

5. Forcing Turnovers

The Wolves have done a great job so far forcing turnovers. This has led to more opportunities which has led to more points. More opportunities for points is crucial, especially in tight games.

This also shows tremendous growth in their defensive efforts.

The Wolves rank fourth in the league in steals, forcing nearly nine per game on average. This has led to nearly 17.5 percent of their points coming off of turnovers which ranks sixth in the league.

Watching those two steals in a close game against a good Spurs team proves the point. It was a five point game late in the third quarter before two great defensive efforts opened the gap to nine points.

There are two offseason acquisitions that have been huge factors when it comes to forcing turnovers. Jimmy Butler is 14th in the league averaging 1.8 steals per game. He is making the draft night trade look even more worth it if there were any reasons to think it wasn’t.

Jeff Teague is the other mean leading the way in steals for the Wolves. He ranks right behind Butler in the league in steals per game at 15th averaging 1.7 per game.

Along with those two, Andrew Wiggins has done his share in forcing turnovers. He is third on the team averaging 1.3 steals per game. So far that is .3 more steals per game than he had last season. Sure, that may not be a huge increase. However, he is on pace to force more than he did last season which is benefiting the team.

Safe to say it has been a total team effort in the steals department, which has helped the Wolves get to where they are at early on.

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