(Photo : David Berding/Getty Images) MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Rudy Gobert (#27) interacts with Anthony Edwards (#5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves within the third quarter towards the New Orleans Pelicans at Target Center on November 08, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Pelicans 122-101.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are rolling proper now and are main the Western Conference with a 13-4 win-loss report. Although it’s nonetheless early, the T-Wolves appear to be a professional title contender for the 2023-24 season.
Regardless, there is no such thing as a denying that the Timberwolves are one of many shock groups to date. The others are the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ironically, the Timberwolves are coming off a win over the Thunder, 106-103, on Tuesday, November 28, per ESPN.
Would it’s protected to think about Minnesota as a professional title contender?
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Three causes making Minnesota Timberwolves the group to look at:
1. Defense wins video games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are profitable due to protection. This is a well-known phrase that many have heard again and again, a formulation that profitable groups use.
Considering the T-Wolves have Rudy Gobert, a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, within the lineup, it’s not onerous to see why. He boasts a 106.8 defensive ranking and controls the boards for the T-Wolves with 11.5 rebounds per sport.
Also, it’s price noting that the T-Wolves lead the league proper now when it comes to defensive ranking with 106.6. Further, they’re additionally second within the league with 6.5 blocks per sport by way of NBA.com.
Aside from Gobert, Anthony Edwards is doing his share. He is averaging 1.3 steals per sport, complementing his French teammate, which makes it even tougher for opposing groups to arrange their performs.
2. Reliable supporting forged.
Aside from Gobert and Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns has additionally tried his greatest to hold the group, whereas others have additionally contributed to the group’s early success, as identified by SI.com.
That listing consists of Jaden McDaniel, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. That forged is doing effectively proper now, though will probably be attention-grabbing to see how lengthy they’ll sustain their respective contributions to maintain the T-Wolves on prime.
3. Putting fancied groups on discover.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have additionally proven that they hardly care about who they must face, together with the favorites this season. That listing consists of wins over the Denver Nuggets final November 1 (110-89) and the Boston Celtics on November 6 (114-109).
“Their defensive toughness outmatched our offensive toughness,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned after dropping to the T-Wolves. “Their activity and ability not to get screened kind of slowed our offense down.”
The key for Minnesota is sustaining this profitable formulation and hoping their gamers stay wholesome. Towns and Edwards have had their share of accidents, which has closely influenced their previous campaigns.
Edwards seems to be tremendous after injuring his hip on a nasty fall towards OKC, in accordance with Timberwolves insider Jon Krawczysnki on “The Jon Krawczynski Show.” He claims that the All-Star guard was in good spirits after that sport.
“He’s not seriously hurt,” Krawczysnki acknowledged. “No one believes that it’s going to be an extended absence for Anthony Edwards.”
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