Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: Nov. 24 vs the Miami Heat

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 22: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Orlando Magic on November 22, 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: Bench Efficiency

The Timberwolves are 1-2 over the last three games in large part due to uncharacteristically poor bench play.

As a result of lackluster bench efficiency, Tom Thibodeau instead has elected to throw his starters out on the floor for long minutes at a time. The key for the Timberwolves here will be for the bench to come in and contribute right away in order to get more minutes so the starters can get some rest.

Only three players scored off the bench against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night: Jamal Crawford (9 points), Shabazz Muhammad (4), and Gorgui Dieng (1).

You do the math.

That type of scoring out put from the second unit will see their minutes decline rapidly if they don’t get it together quickly. Nemanja Bjelica, (3-jelica, as he’s now known) needs to get going early and often in order to help space the floor against the Heat on Friday night.

Gorgui Dieng has been battling an injury to his finger, but besides that the bench should return back to form sooner or later and they could really use it against a solid Miami Heat team.

If the bench can play like they have for most the season, I like the Timberwolves chances at bringing home the victory for the Minnesota faithful.

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