Now that the NBA playoffs have shifted into the second round, a few franchises are coming under increased scrutiny. The Minnesota Timberwolves, boasting an impressive 23-6 record since March, are facing challenges with key player injuries and turnovers. At the same time, the Boston Celtics are planning their attack as the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to flounder in their effort to find their perfect formula. With every game, the tension increases for everyone playing.
The Timberwolves have emerged as a formidable force in recent weeks, showcasing both offensive and defensive prowess. Their regular season top 10 rankings in these categories paint a picture of what they can do. Not all is well in Minnesota. All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns is currently recovering from a left-hand injury. This would likely take a toll on Griffin’s performance as the playoffs continue.
Instead, as a reflection of their basketball intelligence, the Celtics are attacking obvious weaknesses in the Cavaliers’ starting five. The team has made a calculated decision to intentionally foul Mitchell Robinson, who has struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 7 of 23 attempts. This tactical maneuver is just another sign of Boston’s willingness to take advantage of any edge they can find.
Timberwolves’ Turnover Troubles
Even with such a good record, the Timberwolves have been susceptible to sloppy ball handling. They have committed more turnovers than the Golden State Warriors in two out of three games played in the series. This inability to exert sustained control has greatly limited their chances to create high-quality scoring opportunities. In Game 3, however, Minnesota managed to score 16 points off the Warriors’ mistakes, demonstrating that they can seize moments when they occur.
We can’t stress enough how critical protecting the basketball is for a team trying to make a deeper playoff run. The Timberwolves have made a habit out of not valuing every possession, a reality that may come back to bite them without a change. How well they clamp down on giveaways will be key as they meet stiffer and stiffer challenges ahead.
For now, head coach Chris Finch will have to continue to stress discipline and decision-making with their early-season shine starting to wear off. If they want to use their ISO and transition advantages to their full potential, the Timberwolves will need to learn how to stay cool in a clutch.
Struggles for the Celtics
On the other side of the bracket, the Boston Celtics have been navigating through their own adversity. Jaylen Brown, a key offensive player for Boston, has been absolutely lost with his shooting attack all series long. He’s hit just 5 of his 23 tries from deep. This up-and-down play has been a common theme among his teammates too, most notably Jayson Tatum, who has struggled to find a groove.
Boston’s Game 3 performance served as a reminder of their matchup advantages against the Knicks when they successfully make three-point shots. But without consistent outbursts, especially coming from their leading scorers, the margin for victory grows thinner and thinner for the Celtics to keep coming out on top.
Jrue Holiday and Derrick White look like defensive wizards against Jalen Brunson – entirely shutting him down on offense. This pragmatic extreme shift has worked wonders for Boston the past few games as they attempt to build momentum against Cleveland.
Cavaliers’ Offensive Hurdles
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a deep hole as they try to improve their bad luck in the playoffs. Like their recent Game 4 performance, where the team shot aimlessly and scored a meager 39 points in the first half. In addition, they were able to get only three assists while committing 14 turnovers. Such performance is ridiculously inadequate for a team that claims to want to compete in the upper echelon of the league.
Donovan Mitchell is currently averaging the most points in a playoff series by a Cavaliers player since LeBron James left the franchise. His personal success has been a small comfort for the rest of Cleveland, as he has suffered through the miserable team experience. Without better support from his teammates and improved offensive execution, Mitchell’s contributions might not be enough to secure victories.
At the same time, Nikola Jokic will have his hands full going up against Oklahoma City’s #1 ranked defense. The reigning three-time MVP is dominating like never before. On top of that, he’s shot under 40% from the floor in three consecutive contests. As opponents increasingly turn up the heat on defense, Jokic will have to counter and beat back the storm.
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