Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Turnovers Prove Costly for Wolves
A day after the Minnesota Timberwolves made a valiant effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder; the Wolves gave one away to the Milwaukee Bucks, literally. The Wolves committed 25 turnovers on Tuesday in the 98-95 loss.
Rick Adelman said coming into the year cutting down on turnovers would be a key for this young Wolves team. Last year the Wolves averaged 17 turnovers a game, the most in the NBA. In Monday’s season opener against the Thunder the Wolves only committed 12 turnovers in a very well played game, compare that to Tuesday’s contest where the Wolves committed 25 turnovers in a game against the Bucks that the Wolves should have won.
Lost in the shuffle of the Wolves turnover mess is the wonderful performance turned in by Kevin Love. A day after going for 22 points and 12 rebounds against the Thunder, Love put up 31 points and 20 rebounds. Love also set a franchise record for free throws made in a game with 19. If only Love could get some help.
A day after leading the Wolves with 24 points, Michael Beasley added only 15 against the Bucks. JJ Barea only put in nine points and rookie Derrick Williams only had three points after having 13 in his NBA debut. Luke Ridnour did step up supplying 17 points after only having two against the Thunder. The Wolves need someone to step it up if they want to win some games; looking at Michael Beasley or Derrick Williams to step up and help Love on the offensive end.
Ricky Rubio looked as he did in his NBA debut, good. Rubio had six points again, but only four assists. It may be a lot to ask of a rookie, but Rubio needs to pump up his assists to help this young team win some games.
Going into the fourth quarter the Wolves were down by 11, but cut down that lead. The 98-95 score is kind of deceiving though, it was an uninspired effort by the Wolves until crunch time and they didn't get it done then despite great coaching by Terry Porter who was filling in for Rick Adelman while he attended his mother-in-law’s funeral.
The Wolves will again be tested in their next game; they draw the Miami Heat on Friday in Minneapolis at Target Center. Depending on what Wolves team shows up it could be a fun game to watch. If the Wolves team that played the Thunder shows up the Wolves could give Miami a hard time. If the Wolves team that played the Bucks shows up… let’s just say let the LeBron James and Dwyane Wade show begin.
