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Minnesota Timberwolves drop close game to Blazers: 3 reactions

By Dylan Jackson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 13: Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers steals the ball from Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at Target Center on March 13, 2021 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 13: Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers steals the ball from Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at Target Center on March 13, 2021 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves lost the first game in a back-to-back series against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.

34. 121. 86. Final. 125

The Minnesota Timberwolves played a close game on Saturday that ended in a disappointing result after getting their first win of the Chris Finch era on Thursday. The Wolves, 8-30, hold the worst record in the NBA by two games.

Takeaway #1 – Karl-Anthony Towns is as good as anyone on his best days.

The Portland Trail Blazers simply had no answer for Karl-Anthony Towns tonight. He was efficient offensively, sound on defense, and essentially carried the Timberwolves through certain stretches of the games.

Towns was purely dominant and played arguably his best game of the season. Going toe-to-toe with Damian Lillard is impressive, and Towns willed Minnesota tonight, despite it not being enough for the win.

Takeaway #2 – Chris Finch is still figuring out the rotation.

Despite not having their two best guards, the Timberwolves had every player in their rotation play more than 13 minutes tonight (ten total players). Juan Hernangomez, Jaylen Nowell, and Jaden McDaniels all played more than 20 minutes off of the bench tonight.

That’s not to say this won’t be narrowed down as the season continues, but as of right now, Finch is still learning how to adjust to this Timberwolves roster – and he’s only been in Minnesota for a few games.

The four players that certainly will be major rotational players will be Russell, Edwards, Beasley, and Towns. But almost everything outside of that core of guys is up for grabs. Presumably, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Ricky Rubio will continue to get minutes, but it’s unknown how safe their spots are.

Takeaway #3 – The coaching change made by Gersson Rosas was the right call.

Okay, we’re not going to say the Chris Finch is the end-all-be-all coach. Nor would it be fair to judge him based on whatever record he delivers this season. That said, he is better than the last Timberwolves coach.

Ryan Saunders was pretty clearly not the right coach for this group of players – and that’s okay. Saunders will (hopefully) find a job elsewhere, whether it be in college or as an assistant on an NBA staff.

Next. 4 deadline deals involving Rubio. dark

The Minnesota Timberwolves play against the Portland Trail Blazers tomorrow night at the Target Center at 7:00 p.m. We will have game coverage, so check back tomorrow!

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