Game Preview #73 – Timberwolves at Pacers

The Timberwolves look to avenge last Monday’s defeat when they head to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Can Minnesota muster enough energy and focus to thwart a streaking Pacers team that will now be at full-strength?

Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers
Date: March 24th, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM CDT
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

The Timberwolves Get a Second Crack at the Pacers — This Time, No Excuses

If you’re a Timberwolves fan, you’re probably still having Obi Toppin nightmares. You see the corner of your living room and just start uncontrollably muttering, “Close out faster…” while holding a stress ball and contemplating the meaning of life. That’s how bad last Monday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers was.

Now, a week later, the Wolves roll into Indianapolis. A little older, hopefully a little wiser, and still trying to wash the taste of last week’s overtime mess out of their mouths. And wouldn’t you know it — it’s the Pacers who are now riding a four-game win streak, not the team with Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and a fully healthy roster that allegedly has playoff aspirations.

Revenge game? Let’s hope so. But here’s the kicker: last week, Indiana was down Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, and the ghost of Reggie Miller. You basically could’ve slapped together their lineup with a Reddit G-League draft. The Wolves? Full strength. And still couldn’t close the deal.

Now those same Pacers are healthy, home, hot, and fully aware that the Wolves are entirely beatable when you throw a little chaos and three-point shooting their way. This isn’t just a rematch. This is a gut-check game for a team that seems to alternate between looking like a fringe Finals contender and a group of guys who wandered onto the floor looking for directions to the food court.

Key to the Game #1: Start Like You Mean It

The Wolves haven’t started a game with purpose since your last dentist appointment. The first quarters of the last few games have been sluggish, uninspired, and flatter than a Kyrie Earth Theory TED Talk.

Against New Orleans last week? Fell asleep at tipoff. Against Indiana last Monday? Started okay, then went full Wolves and let Indiana’s backups claw their way back.

This can’t happen tonight. Siakam and Haliburton are back. This isn’t “let’s play with our food and turn it on in the third” territory. This is DEFCON 2. They need to attack from the jump — pressure the ball, defend the rim, rotate on shooters. And if the energy’s not there? Chris Finch has a human smelling salt on the bench named Jaylen Clark. Use him.

Key to the Game #2: Don’t Let Pascal Eat

Siakam is one of those guys who you forget about for three possessions and suddenly he’s got 28 points, 11 boards, and your starting power forward in foul trouble. The Wolves did a decent job cleaning the glass against the Pelicans on Friday, which is great — but Indiana’s going to stretch them more with Siakam operating from the high post, in transition, and off the bounce.

That means Rudy Gobert needs to own the paint again, Julius Randle has to stay locked in defensively (not always a given), and Naz Reid has provide resistance against driving opponents.

Key to the Game #3: Stay Glued to Shooters

Here’s a dirty little secret: the Wolves aren’t bad at guarding the three-point line because they can’t — they’re bad because they get bored. They get caught ball-watching, forget rotations, or just straight-up jog to closeouts.

Obi Toppin’s final dagger last week? Sure, it was a miracle shot. But the other Indiana threes? Those were because guys were wide open, waiting like they were in a Corner Three Waiting Lounge Sponsored by Treasure Island Resort and Casino.

You can’t let that happen. The Pacers have shooters. Haliburton. Nesmith. Even Toppin, apparently. You can’t give these guys daylight and hope they miss. That’s not a strategy — that’s denial dressed up in a jersey.

Key to the Game #4: Let McDaniels and Naz Be Themselves Again

Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid were quietly the guys during the Wolves’ eight-game winning streak. Not flashy. Not headline-grabbing. But smart, effective, and aggressive.

Then came the cold stretch. McDaniels disappeared offensively. Naz started missing shots. The Wolves’ offense stagnated. Surprise, surprise — the losing started.

Against the Pelicans on Friday, both guys snapped back. McDaniels found the dunker spot again, attacked the rim, and hit the occasional three. Naz played within himself, knocked down some open shots, and even looked confident calling his own number.

They need that version of those two again tonight. When the offense bogs down, those guys are the key to keeping things fluid.

Key to the Game #5: Big Boy Efforts from Ant and Randle

This is where it starts and ends.

Anthony Edwards had maybe his signature moment last year in Indiana — the block where he hit his head on the rim and made half the Pacers’ bench question their career choices. It’s time for that version of Ant again.

Not the “let me settle for heat-check threes after going 1-for-11” Ant. Not the “I’ll float around the perimeter and maybe go to the rim if I feel like it” Ant. We want Angry Ant. The one who lives in the paint, draws fouls, kicks to shooters, and then hits a step-back three just to remind you what he can do.

As for Julius Randle? Just play within yourself. Don’t try to go 1-on-3 in the paint like you’re recreating your own personal And1 mixtape. Be the bully-ball playmaker. Draw defenders, pass when it’s there, attack the rim when it’s not.

And please, for the love of all that is holy, make your free throws.

Look Ahead

The standings haven’t punished the Wolves yet. Golden State is wobbling without Steph. Memphis has been hot-and-cold. The Lakers are one more groin tweak away from starting Jack Nicholson at center.

The door is open. But there are only 10 games left.

6 games are against inferior teams.

4 are real battles: Denver, Milwaukee, Memphis, and tomorrow night in Indiana.

You want out of the play-in? You win this one.

You want to dream about home-court advantage? You win this one.

You want to prove that Monday’s debacle was a blip, not a trend? You win this one.