The Minnesota Timberwolves' 120-96 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night might not stand out much. Admittedly, the Mavericks are snake-bitten by injuries and are just 4-11 on the season. However, winning by 24 points against any team in a game where your two best players shoot 9 for 30 from the field is impressive. Notably, Anthony Edwards shot 5-14 while Julius Randle shot 4-16.
Naz Reid led the way with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Wolves' ability to find scoring production outside of their star players is, in essence, what makes them such a dangerous team.
The Wolves winning while Edwards and Randle struggle is nothing new. In fact, last season they were 4-0 in Edwards' lowest scoring games. Likewise, the Wolves were 12-6 in games where Randle scored 15 or fewer points.
The Timberwolves ability to win in a variety of ways makes them a matchup nightmare
Minnesota can stay afloat offensively when Edwards and Randle are struggling due to Jaden McDaniels, Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Rudy Gobert. With McDaniels taking a step up this season, it makes winning while Edwards and/or Randle are struggling even more likely. And truth be told, more often than not, if Edwards or Randle is struggling, one of them picks it up. Still, Monday's game is an example that the Wolves can win regardless of how their stars play.
Outside of the Wolves' plethora of scoring options, they can muck it up on defense with the best of them. Yes, the Wolves' defense struggled early on, but they are now the 11th-ranked defense and have the second-best defense over the past six games. Furthermore, the Wolves have had a top-10 defense since trading for Gobert in 2022.
The Wolves' two-way balance and stellar supporting cast allow them to win games in a multitude of ways. Listen, it might always be flashy, but it gets the job done. This makes the Wolves a matchup nightmare. Can you imagine somehow being able to stop a team's best player (or two best players) and still not being able to win? That would have to be gut-wrenching.
Undoubtedly, this is a key factor in why the Wolves have made back-to-back conference finals runs. As the Wolves try to make a finals run, this ability to gut out ugly wins will greatly benefit them. Frankly, that's what the playoffs are all about.
Overall, this ability to win ugly games and get the most out of their supporting cast is a superpower for the Timberwolves.