Timberwolves have a massive advantage that should put the rest of the NBA on notice

Yes, it's only November, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have a 7-4 record. However, it's never too early to start thinking about the playoffs, especially for a Wolves team hoping to make a championship run. One undeniable advantage the Wolves have that will help them in the playoffs is their isolation scoring.

With Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, the Wolves have two of the league's best isolation scorers, which could help them make another deep playoff run. Randle ranks second in points per isolation possession and fifth in iso points per game, while Edwards ranks second in iso points per game. Both of these stars rank in the top five in isolation frequency. Unsurprisingly, the Wolves as a team rank first in iso points per game and second in points per isolation.

The playoffs are all about advantage creation, and having two of the league's best isolation scorers gives Minnesota a massive edge.

The Timberwolves are a matchup nightmare

Last season, it took a while for Edwards and Randle to get comfortable playing with each other. Both their individual isolation stats and the Wolves' overall iso stats were a lot lower. Still, the upside and talent of this duo were undeniable. As the season went on, they found their groove and ultimately made a Western Conference finals run.

Now that both players are familiar with each other, they are thriving. Chris Finch is also leaning into a system that prioritizes Edwards and Randle. Both players have seen an increase in usage rate. Chalk this all up to a small sample size if you want. However, I'm buying into this, especially as the Wolves' starting five operates without a traditional point guard.

Let's get back to why this is a key benefit come playoff time. As mentioned earlier, advantage creation is the name of the game, especially in the playoffs. The Wolves' gifted isolation scorers will allow them to hunt matchups and get efficient shots at all three levels. Edwards' growth as a mid-range scorer certainly helps in this area as well.

How do you beat isolation scorers? Well, generally speaking, you blitz and "sell out" on them. Nevertheless, the Wolves have two skilled iso scorers, so that's harder to do. Furthermore, if you are sending the house on Edwards or Randle, that leaves the Wolves shooters open.

Crucially, the Wolves have the second-best 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA. Jaden McDaniels' offensive growth gives the Wolves another creator and someone who can knock down these open shots.

Ultimately, the Wolves' isolation scoring and their overall size make them a matchup nightmare, especially in the playoffs. While the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets are rightfully viewed as favorites in the West, don't sleep on the Timberwolves.