Led by impressive performances from Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams and as always: Kevin Love. By the final quarter, the Timberwolves were sitting on a twenty-point lead as the steamrolled, the now 0-8 Washington Wizards. With this win the Wolves picked up their first road win since March 2, 2011! And it was the first time the Wolves were able to pick up a win, in Washington since 2003! The Wolves move to 3-5 on the season as they'll move on tomorrow to face the Raptors in Toronto in the second game of this back-to-back-to-back set, rounding out with a game vs. the Bulls back at the Target Center on Tuesday. Today, was the first chance this season, I got a chance to watch the Wizards and I've got to say--absolutely NOTHING looked right about this team! Flip Saunders' seat is ready to go up in flames, VERY SOON! The Wolves were playing without Michael Beasley with that mid-foot sprain. Wayne Ellington started at shooting guard and Wesley Johnson was the Wolves' starting small forward. Minnesota was also without J.J. Barea. He warmed up but decided not to give it a go. Wolves saying there's a very good chance he'll play either tomorrow at Toronto and if not--Tuesday vs. Chicago. Let's take a look at some statistics from each team in today's game...
The TWolves out-shot the Wizards across the board and their unselfish play (mainly Rubio) more than made up for yet another 15+ turnover game! The Wizards were able to turn those into 20 points which, a lot came on the break with those 21 fast break points, posting a +15 in fast break points. Washington also beat the Wolves in the paint, with a +16! The Wolves' shooting from deep was huge! 10 made threes--that's 30 points right there! Let's take a look at some individual stats from some of today's key players...
A career night for Rubio in assists, a career night for Williams from deep and another one of Love's incredible outputs propelled Minnesota to the easy win. When you look at Washington's key players and realize those were the best tonight, you understand why the Wolves crushed Washington tonight. Wayne Ellington took advantage of the start in Beasley's absence and had his best game of the season, solid on both ends of the floor--I wish Wes did the same...but it was yet another disappointing effort from the young forward.
It was a great game for Minnesota, but they have to continue to build off of this and not take anyone for granted going forward. They'll be playing a less-than stellar Raptors team. So long as they keep their energy and effort up and shoot at a high percentage they can compete with any team in this League! Limiting turnovers would help as well, but that hasn't happen really at all this season! That's all for now, I'll be updating the stats page as well post some game pics & video sometime this evening. If you haven't already--check out our new Depth Chart page under the team section as well as all our new history pages under the History section on the site. Thanks for reading, stay tuned for tomorrow's Toronto preview and GO WOLVES!
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Cody D. AndersonA Wolves fan bringing you Gameday Recaps all season long! 2014-15 Game ArchivesGameday Archives
December 2015
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