Timberwolves Takeaway No. 3: The vibes are fantastic
This is somewhat related to the previous entry, but it cannot be overstated how much the Timberwolves were feeling themselves Wednesday night.
There was Edwards telling Houston coach Stephen Silas he needed to call a timeout after draining a three during that run to end the second quarter. There was Towns plowing through rookie big man Alperen Sengun for an and-one and flexing on him afterward. There was the bench swarming Beasley following one of his blocks.
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 21, 2021
Perhaps the Timberwolves are just frontrunners who get brash when beating up on an inferior opponent, but that bench reaction certainly indicated they were sharing that energy amongst themselves to prop each other up.
The Wolves were engaged. They were competitive and confident, not only in themselves as individuals but in the team as a whole. That is the kind of mindset they have needed for a long time as they have drifted through losses without putting up a real fight.
Most importantly, Minnesota had fun. Guys were talking smack, both on the court and from the bench, and hyping each other up.
That is what the Wolves will have to replicate in this early stretch with seven of their first eight games at home and played against bad or injured opponents. Minnesota must pile up wins now, because the middle of the season gets a lot tougher. That starts with approaching every single game with the same assured energy they brought to the floor against the Rockets.
Tonight, though, the Wolves can go home and simply enjoy the feeling that comes from a dominant performance.