Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves lose to Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways

By Dylan Jackson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 26: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against D.J. Augustin #14 of the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of the game at Target Center on March 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Rockets 107-101. 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, MINNESOTA - MARCH 26: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against D.J. Augustin #14 of the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of the game at Target Center on March 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Rockets 107-101. 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Timberwolves lost an utterly deflating game to the Houston Rockets at home on Saturday night.

129. 169. 107. 86. Final

The Minnesota Timberwolves were beat in every way tonight in their game against the Rockets, and there aren’t many bright spots to highlight in the 22-point loss to the 2nd-worst team in the league.

Takeaway #1 – Lightning doesn’t strike twice (?)

The Minnesota Timberwolves were trailing by a significant amount of points in their first matchup against the Rockets on Friday night before a scoreless 7-minute period of time.

Then, Minnesota willed themselves to victory with a 22-0 scoring run late in the fourth quarter – featuring several missed shots by John “$120 million left on his contract” Wall.

Tonight, however, the story wasn’t the same. The Timberwolves were never within striking distance, and the Rockets had a 99% chance to win (according to ESPN) as soon as the early-third quarter.

Takeaway #2 – Malik Beasley is going to need some time to get back in form

Tonight, Malik Beasley was downright bad. If he’s not scoring, he isn’t usually beneficial on the court – and MAN. Malik Beasley could not get a bucket tonight. He finished 4-14 from the field in 30 minutes of play.

Tonight’s game against the Rockets was Beasley’s first game back from a 12-game long suspension handed by the NBA following the charges pressed against Beasley this past offseason.

Beasley is seemingly a cornerstone of the Timberwolves franchise at this point, so hopefully he is able to get back to his prior form.

Takeaway #3 – We need aggressive Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards is just a significantly better player when he is attacking the rim. His contact balance is incredible, and his physicality in the lane is otherworldly compared to most guard/wings.

That said, he doesn’t get to the rim enough. He needs to be more aggressive and settle for less jumpers. Anthony Edwards is at his best when he’s able to just attack on closeouts, take the occasional open shot, and collapse the defense.

That simply was not how he played tonight.

Next. Wolves: Optimism for Edwards as a playmaker. dark

The Timberwolves next game is on Monday against the Brooklyn Nets, who just signed Lamarcus Aldridge.

Home/Timberwolves News