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Minnesota Timberwolves: Player grades from loss to Indiana Pacers

By Ben Beecken

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves watches the action in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 28, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves watches the action in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 28, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves blew another golden opportunity to notch a key road win after falling apart late and spoiling another fantastic performance from Karl-Anthony Towns.

115. 86. 122. 100. Final

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the week needing to win three out of their four games in order to feel good about having a chance to make the playoffs.

The week started well, with an easy home win over Sacramento. But back-to-back road losses against the lowly Hawks and a good Pacers team have stalled the Wolves progress. Now, they simply can’t afford a slip-up against the Wizards on Sunday evening.

Just like Wednesday night in Atlanta, the Wolves got out to a fast start. This time, they led at the end of the first quarter by a score of 35-26 behind a 23-point frame from Karl-Anthony Towns.

The second quarter mostly featured the Pacers gaining ground, and they eventually overtook the visiting Wolves to lead by four points at halftime.

In what has become a recurring theme of late, Towns, who only picked up one personal foul in the first half, picked up three quick fouls in the third quarter and was forced to the bench with the Wolves struggling to hang tough.

It was a two-point game heading into the final frame, and the Wolves were largely able to weather the storm until Towns returned to the floor. But some empty offensive possessions and an inability to keep the Pacers from launching mostly open 3-pointers put the final nails in the Wolves’ proverbial coffin.

Minnesota Timberwolves. KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS. A-. Karl-Anthony Towns was awesome once again on Wednesday, scoring 30-plus points in three straight games for the first time in his career. He scored 23 points in the first quarter and had to take 29 shots to get his 42 points but still shot 3-of-8 from beyond the arc and 9-of-13 from the free throw line. He also added 17 rebounds and four assists. Foul trouble was the main issue again in this one for KAT.. Center

C. This was another typical <a rel=. Guard/Forward. Minnesota Timberwolves. ANDREW WIGGINS

B-. <a rel=. Guard/Forward. Minnesota Timberwolves. JOSH OKOGIE

DARIO SARIC. B. <a rel=. Power Forward. Minnesota Timberwolves

JEFF TEAGUE. B+. <a rel=. Point Guard. Minnesota Timberwolves

TAJ GIBSON. B+. <a rel=. Power Forward. Minnesota Timberwolves

Guard. Minnesota Timberwolves. DERRICK ROSE. C+. Derrick Rose only scored two points in the first half and ultimately was a team-worst -15 on the night. He did go on a nice streak in the second half that bumped his points total up to 10, but it was one of the m ore disappointing games that Rose has had in a while.

The rest of the players

Tyus Jones played 18 minutes but had a modest line as he mostly played off the ball while Rose handled most of the point guard duties.

Anthony Tolliver was great, scoring 13 points while shooting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Keita Bates-Diop also had another solid outing, logging 10 minutes off the bench.

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What’s Next?

The Wolves will enjoy a couple of days off on the East Coast before taking on the Washington Wizards at  5 p.m. Central Time on Sunday.

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