Wolves 114, Hornets 93: Back on Track

A win was needed after a dismal performance in San Antonio on Saturday, and a win was earned against Charlotte at Target Center for the first time in a surprising amount of time.

The last time the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Charlotte Hornets at home, Rudy Gobert wasn’t a Timberwolf, Jarred Vanderbilt posted a double double, and Patrick Beverley scored 15 points.

Two and a half years was the time it took to accomplish a likely feat that felt unlikely to have existed heading into Monday night at Target Center.

A blowout of Charlotte was especially timely due to the nature of the schedule; an emotional win over Denver on Friday night rolled into a back-to-back in San Antonio that tipped off 20 hours afterward. They ran out of gas and rolled over.

They needed the inverse to happen against a team they’ve previously rolled the ball out against and lost (2-7 in their last nine games against Charlotte). They did so.

It didn’t look to be the case initially. While Anthony Edwards got off to his typical hot start with 10 first quarter points, Jaden McDaniels continued his struggles and picked up two early fouls with 6:25 left to go in the first period. It was the mark of a starting five that started off shaky as a unit and expectedly has yet to fully feel each other out.

“We have to find some rhythm with our starting group,” Head Coach Chris Finch said after the game.

It continually has to be caveated that it’s a lineup that’s been together for less than two months, but did find a groove with a massive size advantage, and tightened up to be a major part of a defensive effort that held the Hornets to just 45 first half points. Mike Conley spoke after the game on the effort that had elements of being bankable moving forward.

“Rim protection. Paint Protection,” Conley mentioned. “They finished a lot of tough finishes, but that’s what we want…over a game, you feel like that can sway to our advantage, and get us into situations to get out in transition.”

Conley found a groove of his own after a slower early season start, posting 11 points (a season high) on his best shooting night so far.

While the starting unit worked through some kinks and continued to find itself offensively, it was the bench that ended up bringing things around and slamming the door shut early.

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Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Second Unit Steals the Show

“Naz Reid and the Big Ragu” sounds like it could be a band name. It also is the name of the duo that came off the bench and finished leading the Wolves with a plus 33 and taking the game completely over.

Donte DiVincenzo has been valuable in leading backup point guard duties, but it had felt before Monday that there was a little more in the tank in both being able to develop more chemistry with those around him and being able to knock down some of his easier catch and shoot looks more consistently.

“He’s got the green light to shoot it, wherever, whenever,” Finch said.

Both proved to be true on Monday, and watching him and Reid on the floor together was a sight to behold. He brought a ton of energy that was infectious and got everyone involved.

The second unit has never really been much of a problem so far. Whether it’s been Nickeil Alexander-Walker in clutch-time, DiVincenzo’s ability to move the ball and make savvy plays on defense, or the offensive pop that Reid provides on a night to night basis, it’s often been the job of the bench so far this year to dig the Wolves out of trouble or extend a lead for the starters to re-enter and hold.

“Bench has been huge,” Finch added. “I have 8 starters…I’m really spoiled for choice there.”

DiVincenzo and Reid combined for 39 points off the bench, and provided a spark in being able to mix some of the starting personnel to catch a groove. NAW added a plus 22 of his own despite just going just 1 for 6 from the field.

Ball movement will do that.

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Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Odds and Ends

• Rob Dillingham saw his first extended action in garbage time later in the fourth. He got into the offense early and was incredibly decisive. While Finch has been hesitant to play him at this point in the season, I would imagine that the lack of ballstopping on Monday is a step in the right direction for him to see some minutes when the season starts to see its midway point, or when Mike Conley inevitably sits out a few games.

• Rudy Gobert was incredibly off and on once again. He had his typical dominant moments in the paint, but again pressed a bit too much at times on offense. He did finish with an uncharacteristic four assists, however.

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Up Next

Minnesota will make a short trip down to Chicago to take on the Bulls Thursday. A win should be expected as the Bulls are not very good, but not guaranteed. The last time the Wolves won at the United Center was 2018. You’re reading that correctly.

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Highlights