As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare for Game 2, the plots and subplots may overwhelm everyone in this one. The Timberwolves must now face the Utah Jazz, and for nearly all of the Timberwolves roster and much of the Jazz roster, this game is going to be awfully awkward. The Utah Jazz, you may recall, has been the cream of the NBA Northwest Division Crop over the past two seasons.
Well, that may be changing.
The Jazz (1-0) are coming off what can only be described as an upset of the division frontrunner, the Denver Nuggets, and now bring their impressive but young roster to the Target Center. Curiously, the Target Center used to be the home court to four of the current Utah Jazz players. And, for that matter, the Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star center, Rudy Gobert, used to play for the Jazz.
So this one has plenty to talk about.
But rather than discuss the emotional awkwardness of Timberwolves fans at the Target Center cheering against guard Leandro Bolmaro, forward Jarred Vanderbilt, rookie center Walker Kessler, and of course guard Malik Beasley, I suppose it makes more sense to talk about how impressive the former Timberwolves were in their Jazz debut.
Ex-Timberwolves played well
Beasley, Kessler, and Vanderbilt were all part of the rotation, but only Vanderbilt was a starter. Meanwhile, both Beasley and Kessler came in off the bench to score double digits in their opener. The Jazz scored 123 while holding the Nuggets to just 102 points. Most impressive was their ability to outscore the Nuggets 75-53 in the first half of Game 1.
While the Timberwolves were the victor in Game 1 over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Utah Jazz will be a more difficult test for the team. Perhaps much more difficult, as they handily defeated a team that many expect to advance in the NBA Playoffs this season.
So what did the Timberwolves players have to say about the Jazz? Well, forward Taurean Prince said it best:
Favorite Taurean Prince quote came today, when he was asked about Utah: "Them? I didn't watch much of their game yesterday. And I haven't really watched much film, so I'm not gonna sit here and make something up like all the other guys do."
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) October 20, 2022
The game is likely especially incentivized for the four former Timberwolves, as Beasley, Vanderbilt, Kessler, and even Bolmaro will want to show their former team just how much of a mistake was made by trading them away.
Of course, the Timberwolves’ current roster has something to say about that. While I wouldn’t say that the Timberwolves’ debut was a smashing success, it flashed elements that made even the skeptics see just how good this team can be.
Both teams placed seven players into double digits. While the Jazz relied upon a talented bench to do much of the heavy lifting in the season opener, the Timberwolves kept their starters on the basketball court for much of their contest. That is likely how Game 2 will evolve as well, as the Jazz are trying to determine who is best suited to command the most minutes, while the Timberwolves simply want to get the starters comfortable for a long and demanding season.
This should be a great game folks! Don’t miss it.