29 December 2023
Teams play below their level of abilities against inferior teams in the NBA all the time throughout an 82-game season.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 28: Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves commits an offensive foul as he passes the ball against the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at Target Center on December 28, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
It happened in Boston on Thursday, as the Celtics — considered by many to be the best team in the NBA — had to go to overtime to hand Detroit its 28th straight loss.
It happened in Minneapolis, as the Timberwolves tried to beat themselves numerous times before finding enough offense to down the short-handed Mavericks 118-110 at Target Center.
Minnesota overcame 22 turnovers that led to 29 points for Dallas thanks to what the Wolves were able to do with the possessions in which they didn’t give the ball away.
Minnesota (23-7) shot 51 percent from the field, including a blistering 52 percent from distance. Anthony Edwards led the charge, finishing with a season-high 44 points on an efficient 23 shots. That somehow paled in comparison to Rudy Gobert’s efficiency, as the center took advantage of Dallas’ lack of size to the tune of 20 points — on a perfect 7 for 7 shooting from the floor and 6 for 7 from the free-throw line — and 11 rebounds.
It’s important for the Wolves to find ways to use Gobert’s size to dominate smaller opponents in some facet, particularly as opponents intentionally go small to spread Minnesota out. That’s what Dallas — which was sans Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the second night of a back to back — did Thursday. The Mavericks played five-out offense, executing nearly all of its offense from the perimeter.
The approach netted Dallas a bevy of decent looks. Tim Hardaway Jr. went on a massive second-half heater on his way to 32 points. The Mavericks led at one point in the third frame.
Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum (0) loses control of the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
That was a massive swing from the game’s opening, which Minnesota dominated to jump out to an 18-point advantage. Edwards was dominating. The Wolves were suffocating the Mavericks. Everything was coming up Minnesota.
But from there Minnesota played sloppy basketball. It was perhaps the Wolves’ lowest-IQ performance of the season. Edwards had six turnovers. Karl-Anthony Towns — who went just 3 for 12 from the field — had five, and the door opened for Dallas (18-14) to re-enter the contest.
Things shifted, as they so often seem to do in the NBA. But, what matters on nights like Thursday is that the good teams eventually emerge victorious.
Minnesota found a way to rebound from Tuesday’s defeat in Oklahoma City, meaning the Timberwolves are still the only team in the NBA this season that has yet to lose consecutive games.