The Minnesota Timberwolves took a devastating loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday night. They surrendered a 24-point third-quarter advantage, losing 110-103. The Timberwolves took a big hit with the quality of this loss. After all, in those moments they were still fighting tooth and nail for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference. Despite this, the team remains optimistic about its chances of improving its playoff position as they prepare for their next game.
Minnesota opened up a three-touchdown lead entering the fourth quarter and seemingly had the game in hand. The Bucks went into a zone, which the Timberwolves continued to have a hard time penetrating too. In over the last ten minutes, Minnesota was outscored 39-8. This dramatic implosion – a top 10 preseason team finishing unranked – has happened just five times since the 1996-97 season. The Timberwolves shot only 4-of-20 in the fourth quarter overall and 2-of-12 from deep, while turning the ball over eight times.
“It was hard for every last one of us to get a look when they were in the zone,” said Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, reflecting on the team’s inability to adjust to Milwaukee’s defensive strategy. Minnesota forward Julius Randle noticed that given the team’s history of success against zone defenses. He decided against opening the kimono on the tactics they would employ to beat them.
Even after this vexing defeat, Minnesota’s postseason wish are still very much intact. With roughly one-quarter of the season in the rearview mirror, the Timberwolves currently sit eighth in the Western Conference. They’re only a game behind for fourth place and home-court advantage in the playoffs! They’ve got plenty of time to play themselves out of the play-in tournament and up the Western Conference standings.
“We played great basketball for three quarters,” noted Bucks player Donte DiVincenzo, recognizing Minnesota’s strong start before their late-game collapse. The Timberwolves will finish their five-game trip on Thursday with a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies, who have struggled with the loss of starting guard Jaylen Wells, are out indefinitely with a broken wrist suffered in a game against Charlotte.
Even as they approach their first meeting with Memphis, the Timberwolves have a laser focus on what this game means to them. The Grizzlies are facing challenges with their roster, providing Minnesota with an opportunity to rebound from their recent defeat. With just a handful of games remaining in the regular season, every victory counts. Each win might be worth more in determining optimum playoff position.
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