Game Preview #72 – Timberwolves vs. Pelicans

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Date: March 21st, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM CDT
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

The Timberwolves’ Gut Check Moment Has Arrived

And just like that, the Minnesota Timberwolves may have sealed their play-in fate.

This five-game homestand was supposed to be the launchpad. The golden opportunity to leapfrog the Warriors and Clippers, to create separation from the play-in madness, to control their own destiny heading into the final stretch of the season.

Instead?

At best, they’ll finish this stretch 3-2. At worst, well… let’s not go there yet. But after two brutal, preventable, soul-crushing losses to the Pacers and Pelicans, it’s questionable whether this team is actually going to handle business in the rematch against New Orleans. And honestly, it’s an insult to Wolves fans who have shelled out their hard-earned money to watch this completely unfocused basketball team.

So what’s the problem?

Is it talent? No.

Roster construction? No.

The ghost of David Khan? Possibly.

A fundamental lack of focus and discipline? Absolutely.

A Team That Plays With Its Food

Look, every team drops a bad game here and there. It happens.

But the Wolves don’t just drop bad games—they actively invite them.

Minnesota has now played 43 clutch-time games this season, the most in the league. This team doesn’t just let bad teams hang around—they roll out the red carpet, hand them a cocktail, and let them feel right at home.

Let’s break it down:

• Games against teams over .500 → 37 games → 16-21 record
• Games against teams under .500 → 34 games → 24-10 record

Now, 24-10 against bad teams sounds fine on paper… until you actually go back and realize that some of those 10 losses were mind-numbing meltdowns against teams like:

• The Spurs (Yes, Wemby was playing, but still.)
• The Heat (without Butler, featuring a complete last-minute meltdown)
• The Trail Blazers (Twice!)
• The Raptors (Undefeated in Toronto since 2004…)
• The Wizards (Missing a lot of starters… but still… Kyle Kuzma???)
• The Jazz (Hot off an Ant suspension, but still squandered an 11 point lead)
• And of course, last night’s collapse against the Pelicans.

And then you realize… if the Wolves had just won five of those, they’d be neck and neck with Houston for the No. 2 seed right now instead of clawing for their lives in eighth.

That’s the difference between having home-court advantage and being one bad game away from missing the playoffs altogether.

A Truly Awful Clutch-Time Team

Now, let’s talk about clutch-time stats, because this is where it gets ugly.

The Wolves are 18-25 in clutch games. That’s a .419 winning percentage—which, if that was their season-long mark, would put them below the Spurs in the standings.

This team doesn’t just struggle in close games.

They self-destruct.

They stop moving the ball. They take terrible shots. They turn it over like they’re trying to unlock a secret achievement in NBA 2K.

This has been the story all season.

But last night’s Pelicans loss? That was the crystallization of everything wrong with this team.

How the Pelicans Game Broke Wolves Fans

The early second quarter was a clinic. The Wolves jumped out to a 14-point lead, moving the ball, hitting their shots, playing disciplined defense.

Then?

They got comfortable.

• The offense came to a screeching halt.
• The shot selection got reckless.
• The turnovers became contagious.
• And before you knew it, the Pelicans were ahead by halftime.

It was the basketball equivalent of that Friends rerun you’ve watched 967 times before.

The final outcome? Just as brutal.

• Zion Williamson lived in the paint, bullying his way to 29 points.
• The Pelicans shot 45% from three, because of course they did.
• And the Wolves missed seven free throws, finishing at 80% from the line.

The Wolves threw this game away just like Julius Randle chucking a ball into the 9th row and nearly taking the head of an 8-year old.

At this point… I don’t even know what to say.

Can This Team Be Saved?

The good news (if you can call it that) is that the Western Conference is a bloodbath.

• Golden State is still within reach.
• Memphis is slipping.
• The Lakers have an absolute gauntlet of a schedule.

If the Wolves wake up and stop shooting themselves in the foot, they still have a chance to escape the play-in.

Here’s what needs to happen:

1. Defense. Defense. Defense.

The Wolves literally won eight straight games by locking in on defense. Then, in these last two games?

Zero effort. Zero rotations. Open looks everywhere.

They have to fix this immediately.

2. Smart, Aggressive Ant.

• Stop settling for deep threes when they aren’t falling.
• Attack the basket.
• Get to the line (and make your free throws).
• Create for others when the defense collapses on you.

3. No More Sloppy Turnovers.

Julius Randle… I don’t know what that was last night, but please. I am begging you.

4. Make Your Free Throws.

The Wolves lost another close game because they bricked free points.

This is the easiest thing to fix—just focus at the line.

5. Win Every Game Against Bad Teams.

• Remaining schedule: 11 games.
• 6 are against teams under .500. They absolutely must go 6-0 in those.
• Then finish 4-1 or 3-2 against good, but beatable teams in Denver, Memphis, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Detrot.

One More Shot to Fix This

Friday’s Pelicans rematch is a gut-check game.

It’s not about revenge.

It’s not about making a statement.

It’s not about Zion dunking all over the Wolves again.

It’s about saving their season.

Win this, and you stay afloat. Lose again, and the play-in becomes inevitable.

The talent is there.

The path to escaping the play-in is there.

But if the Wolves keep playing with their food?

They won’t just be stuck in the play-in—they’ll be watching the playoffs from home.