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The Minnesota Timberwolves limit their mistakes with the ball

By Ken Bradley

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 20: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the game on January 20, 2018 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)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 20: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the game on January 20, 2018 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) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the best teams in the entire NBA at taking care of the basketball, but does that correlate to success?

The Minnesota Timberwolves are becoming a more experienced team which is clear by the limited number of mistakes they make. They are the second-best team at taking care of the ball and their ability to reduce mistakes has resulted in one of their best seasons in more than a decade.

The Dallas Mavericks have a 18-42 record (14th in the Western Conference) and turn the ball over the fewest times per game in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors (46-14) are the 28th best team at committing turnovers which highlights that forgetting mistakes is as important as taking care of the ball for the NBA Champions.

The Toronto Raptors (41-17) are in first place in the Eastern Conference and rank as the fourth best team at taking care of the ball. The Boston Celtics are the tenth best team at turning over the ball and in second place in the Eastern Conference.

Seven of the teams ranked in the top ten are positioned to be in the playoffs. Five of the ten worst teams at turning over the ball likely will make the playoffs.

Here are the nitty-gritty details about the Timberwolves ability to take care of the ball.

  • 26 games the Wolves have won the turnover battle, they’ve then won the game. Nine games when they turned the ball over more they also won. Wolves were victorious one game when they and their opponent turn the ball equal number of times.
  • Timberwolves have lost seventeen games they won the turnover battle. Wolves lost seven games where they turned the ball over more and have three losses where they turned the ball over equal to their opponents. Taking care of the ball is important, but hasn’t resulted in victories as often as one might presume.
  • Wolves have won the turnover battle 43 total times and lost the turnover battle 16 and are par with their opponents four games.

The Twolves ended 2016-17 season ranked 18th in the league at turning over the ball and ended with a 31-51 record. They ended the 2015-16 season ranked 24th in the league at taking care of the ball and a 29-53 record. They ended the 2014-15 season again ranked 24th in the league and with a 16-66 record.

Next: Karl-Anthony Towns is a top 10 player

This season, the Timberwolves have consistently taken care of the basketball which is a positive trend leading them to a 37-26 record and third place in the Western Conference. Their ability to take care of the ball will serve them well, but now just need to become champions at forgetting their mistakes.

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