Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 goals for the rest of the 2017-18 season

Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 goals for the rest of the season

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 10: The Minnesota Timberwolves huddle before the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 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) /

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2. Keep Forcing Turnovers

The one area the Wolves do well in on defense is force turnovers.

They are fourth in the league right now, forcing just over nine steals per game. This has allowed them to score 17 percent of their points off of turnovers, good enough for ninth in the league.

For a team that struggles so much on defense, which will be touched upon shortly, they need as many opportunities as they can to score. What better way to create more opportunities than to force turnovers?

Jimmy Butler is doing just as everyone thought he would be and force steals. He is ninth in the league right now averaging 1.9 steals per game. Jeff Teague is also in the top-25, averaging 1.5 steals per game. These two offseason acquisitions are paying off big time in this department. Even Andrew Wiggins is providing more in the steals department, averaging 1.2 per game.

On the flip side, forcing turnovers limits opportunities for the opposing team. This is especially important for a team who struggles greatly on defense outside of steals numbers.

Bottom line is that the Wolves should continue to focus on forcing turnovers, giving them more opportunities to score and less opportunities to the opponent.

That’s what I call the best of both worlds.

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