There is a lot of work ahead for the Minnesota Timberwolves. But for a few moments, the team can pause and savor the taste of this moment. The Timberwolves are not ‘there’ yet, but the team is certainly making progress toward becoming the best version of itself. But it’s not just the statistics nor the win-loss record that is telling that tale.
The Timberwolves are beginning to play better. The rotation is beginning to grow larger. The players are beginning to smile and laugh again. That is all in one month’s time.
“That spirit they had when last saw em in playoffs is gone. They hardly speak to one another, and when they do its usually met w/ an eye-roll.”
— Kyle Theige (@KyleTheige) November 17, 2022
Whoops!
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Some things are falling into place. But can this team face the Philadelphia 76ers in Philly? Well, even with some key starters out for the game, there is no player hotter in the NBA right now than Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Embiid has been on quite a scoring roll in November. Not only has he averaged 38.4 points per game in November 2022, but his past three games before facing the Minnesota Timberwolves have totaled 133 points. Only Wilt Chamberlain or Allen Iverson has matched or beaten that three-game scoring total in the history of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ confidence comes through
So how did the Minnesota Timberwolves feel entering this game?
Anthony Edwards on confidence from winning 2 in a row prior to the Philly matchup Saturday:
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) November 17, 2022
"I think we gonna win against Philly. I think we're gonna go on a little roll here. I mean, I know it's two games, but the confidence is there. I think we're ready to take the next step."
This was a great test for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The crowd in Philadelphia was very energetic, and they were nearly deafening in the fourth quarter as the 76ers closed to within one point. But team-leading scorer Anthony Edwards (25 points) sank a pair of free throws to put the lead back to three points until the final buzzer.
76ers center Joel Embiid led all scorers with 32 points, but it was the Timberwolves who led in fast break points, points in the paint, assists, and rebounds. While the Timberwolves spiraled a bit in the fourth quarter, the team did not completely meltdown. In the end, players played well in their roles, trusted their teammates, and began to show signs of efficiency. Of course, it’s easy to look good as long as the shots are falling, and the shots were falling early for the Timberwolves.
The 76ers, even with three starters out, hit an unheard-of 43.8 percent of their perimeter shooting. The Timberwolves still need to do a better job of defending beyond the arc. But pretty or not, a win is a win. The Timberwolves return home to host the Miami Heat on Monday, November 21, 2022, at 7:00 pm CT at Target Center. The Philadelphia 76ers will remain in Philly to host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 6:30 pm CT at the Wells Fargo Center.