The Timberwolves Need to Step Up
Following last night’s 118-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, dropping the Timberwolves down two games to zero in this Western Conference Finals series, the Timberwolves need to take a hard look at themselves. In virtually every aspect of the game, the Timberwolves are being outplayed by the Thunder. From their offensive production, their defensive tenacity, and their ability to make clutch baskets when needed, in each of these categories, the Thunder have the edge over the Wolves and then some, making a team that tore through its first two rounds look like a shell of themselves. So, how can the Timberwolves come back against a team that is regularly delivering blowouts? Is it possible for this to be an even series heading back to Oklahoma City?
For starters, Minnesota is fortunate to be heading back home for the next two games, where their players will be able to feed off the energy of their fans. In NBA Playoff games, energy is everything, with the teams that have the most usually getting the edge over their competition in these brutal seven game outings. However, Minnesota will need more than just their crowd to hype them up. The core issue for the Timberwolves is that their players need to step up.
At the top of the Timberwolves' lineup, you have Anthony Edwards, who, despite scoring 32 points in last night’s game following his abysmal Game One performance, only shot one for nine from three. For someone taking as many threes a game as he does, and with him being the star of the team, a player whose teammates feed off of, Anthony Edwards has to play better. If Ant-Man can set the pace, knocking down a couple of threes early in Game Three, the team will follow. Besides Anthony Edwards, though, if the Timberwolves are going to have a chance of tying this series, Julius Randle is going to have to step up. After scoring at least 24 points in his last five games, Julius Randle only managed to produce a measly six points last night, going two of 11 from the field. As many analysts have pointed out, so goes Julius Randle, and so goes the Timberwolves. His production is key to Minnesota's success, being the second-leading scoring option after Anthony Edwards.
One last player that is key to Minnesota making this a series is the Timberwolves’ center, Rudy Gobert. After delivering several herculean performances in these NBA Playoffs so far, Rudy has only delivered two points and five points in the first two games of this series. These low-scoring performances are coupled with only three and nine rebounds in Games One and Two as well. Being a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, Rudy’s presence in the paint is key to the Wolves' success. If Rudy is dominating on the defensive end, grabbing rebounds and blocking shots while giving the team double-digit points, Minnesota will be hard to beat.
All in all, if the Timberwolves are to have a chance of getting back in this series, their key players are going to have to step up. With the Wolves heading back home, the crowd is sure to give them a little bump in terms of energy and passion, but ultimately, it is down to the players to finish the deal. A crowd can only do so much. We’ll have to see how this all plays out in Game Three.
