Frederick: Timberwolves taking care of business amid soft season-opening schedule

Minnesota's Timberwolves are on a four-game winning streak as they prepare to face off against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. The team currently boasts the fourth-best record in the Western Conference, with an 8-3 record, and the fifth-best in the entire league. The Wolves' offense ranks eighth in the league at 116.2 points per 100 possessions, while their defense leads the pack with a top-five mark at 105.1 points allowed per 100 possessions.

Their net rating, which measures how many more points they score than their opponents, is the second-best in the league at +11.1 points per 100 possessions.

Seven of the Timberwolves' eight victories have come by double digits, a trend that should continue as the team prepares for a challenging schedule. Anthony Edwards has been sidelined due to knee surgery, but the Wolves have managed to secure wins without him. In their last seven games, Minnesota has beaten four cellar dwellers, including the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee, Orlando, and the Clippers. Utah currently has only one victory, having lost eight straight.

Minnesota's fourth win came against a banged-up Jazz team, despite early struggles that included missed three-point attempts, turnovers, and missed defensive assignments. However, the Timberwolves were able to pull away late in the third quarter, establishing a double-digit lead that they held onto until the final buzzer. Minnesota coach Chris Finch acknowledged that the team didn't play their best at times, but he emphasized that effort and energy remain consistent, regardless of the opponent.

Head coach Finch stressed the importance of maintaining a consistent standard throughout the season, even when facing inferior opponents. He expressed great confidence in the team's ability to maintain their play, likening it to a foundation that will serve them well in more challenging matchups down the road.