The Minnesota Timberwolves revealed a lot about their identity during a crushing defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, a game where they held a commanding 24-point lead in the fourth quarter before ultimately falling apart.
Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic argued that the loss exposed underlying issues with the Timberwolves’ ability to finish games, particularly when facing an opposing defensive shift.
The Bucks managed to turn the tide by switching to a zone defense, which stifled Minnesota’s offense and allowed Milwaukee to mount a stunning comeback.
“It’s a bad fourth quarter against a zone defense,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said. “I don’t think it’s a microcosm of the season.”
While Finch downplayed the significance of the loss as an isolated incident, Krawczynski believes it reflects something deeper and more telling about the Timberwolves’ struggles.
Despite showing flashes of strong play at various points in the season, they seem unable to sustain consistency, as evidenced by the way this game abruptly shifted gears, with Minnesota failing to adapt when it mattered most.
Krawczynski suggested that this game was not just another loss, but a representation of a larger trend for the Timberwolves – a team that often looks promising before stumbling in critical moments, showing how quickly their momentum can come to a screeching halt in tough situations.
Western Notes: Jones, Davis, Wolves, Blazers, Cronin https://t.co/YBulr0lZ28 pic.twitter.com/xYEKiTqj6G
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