Checking on the Timberwolves’ progress since the All-Star break

Let’s take a look into the team’s hustle stats over the past 13 games.

Bjelica and Jeff Teague have done a nice job getting their hands on passes. Each have averaged 2.3 deflections per game since the All-Star break. Prior to that, Teague was averaging 2.6, so not much of a difference, and Bjelica averaged 1.3 in his limited role. Their 2.3 deflections per game matches that of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Taj Gibson and Wiggins check in next, both getting their hands on the ball 1.5 times per game. This goes along with Wiggins’ increased effort on the defensive end.

As for getting after loose balls, Butler has been the team leader all season averaging two loose ball recoveries per game. With Butler out, Towns is the only player on the team averaging over one per game over the past 13 contests. Just like rebounding, the 50/50 balls are vital for the Wolves to get on. This too has the chance to limit the opportunities of their opponents.

As for contesting 2-point shots recently, Towns is closing out on 11.5 shots per game, up from his season average of 11.1 per game. However, he occasionally fails to keep his hands up on the catch, which usually leads to being too little too late on close outs.

Other players who are contesting more 2-point shots over the past 13 games are Gibson, Bjelica, Gorgui Dieng, Wiggins and Teague. Even though their opponents are connecting on 47.1 percent of their shots from the field, the hustle is there.

As for contesting 3-point shots, Bjelica has been a pain for opposing shooters. He closes out on 5.1 per game, which leads the team. Wiggins and Gibson are also doing a fine job closing out on 3-point shots, as have Teague and Towns. This time the team’s hustle reflects on their opponents three-point percentage over the past 13 games. They have held their opponents to shooting 34.2 percent from three since the All-Star break, which is ninth in the league.

With just eight games to play the Wolves are looking at what is perhaps their most important stretch of the season. As of now the Wolves hold the seventh spot in the west. They hold a half-game advantage over the eighth placed Utah Jazz, 1.5 games over the ninth-placed Denver Nuggets and three games over the No. 10 Los Angeles Clippers.

At the same time, the Wolves trail No. 3 Portland by just three games. The Wolves need to take advantage of their remaining schedule as each team has a worse record than them. Consider their next three games:

• March 26 vs. Memphis (19-54, 1-16 since All-Star break)
• March 28 vs. Atlanta (21-52, 3-11 since All-Star break)
• March 30 at Dallas (22-51, 4-11 since All-Star break)

After that, three of their last five games come against teams who will be playing with a purpose.

• April 1 vs. Utah (41-32, 11-4 since All-Star break)
• April 5 at Denver (40-33, 8-7 since All-Star break)
• April 6 at Los Angeles Lakers (32-40, 9-6 since All-Star break)
• April 9 vs. Memphis (19-54, 1-16 since All-Star break)
• April 11 vs. Denver (40-33, 8-7 since All-Star break)

Minus the Grizzlies and Lakers, the Jazz and Nuggets will be fighting for a playoff berth just like the Wolves. However, the Lakers will be no push-over as they have shown to be a dangerous team that has been playing well of late. It is also important to note that five of the Wolves last eight games will be played at the Target Center.

Next: Timberwolves Power Rankings: A winning record in sight

It should be a crazy final two weeks for the Wolves in the wild Western Conference.