Timberwolves continue to prove their defense is historically good with crazy stat

There is no doubt that the Minnesota Timberwolves have the best defense in the league. It wasn't enough proof they had led the league in defensive-net rating for most of the season, as they now sit at fourth with a 113.8, but now there is a crazy stat that proves it too.

The NBA, among all of the other professional sports, has a ton of advanced stats that are used to show just how good a player or team is. When talking about advanced defensive metrics, the Timberwolves are at the top in many categories.

One could say Rudy Gobert is a huge reason, but Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards are playing the best defense of their career, whether it be on-ball or even in help defense. Of course, Mike Conley has been anchoring the defense at the point guard position his entire career, and Jaden McDaniels, before he was hurt, was looked at as a defensive stopper at times against some of the better wing players in the league.

The Timberwolves have all of the pieces to continue their historically great defense, and the way it's looking, they won't slow down any time soon. They are already far ahead of the curve.

Alan Horton, who does Wolves' radio, shared this advanced stat on Twitter:

"6. Number of times MIN has shot 50% or better while holding their opponent < 40% FG in the same game. The rest of the NBA has combined to do it 10x. 20 teams have yet to do it. Last season MEM & CLE led the NBA doing it 6x in 82g. MIN has done it 6x in 16g."

- Alan Horton

The Timberwolves are ahead of the curve, and the stats back that statement up. Even though they are currently fourth in defensive net rating, they are still the best in the league. This stat proves that. Teams know that when they play the Timberwolves, it will be a long night.