After the 149-139 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, The Minnesota Timberwolves are just one win away from having their second season in franchise history end without a losing record when Kevin Garnett isn't involved. The Timberwolves won after Karl Anthony Towns carried them to victory with his record franchise setting 60 points in a single game.
Minnesota is 40-30 on the season and sits in 7th place with 12 games remaining.
BADER'S TAKE
Karl Anthony Towns is deserving of his banner being raised.
Fresh off the Minnesota Wild's Mikko Koivu banner raising, it had me thinking about what it means and what it takes to have your number retired.
It takes skill, leadership, and above all else, loyalty.
He has reinvented the franchise.
KAT has proven over and over that he has the skill to be an elite player in this league. He surpassed the franchise record for points in a game. He has the franchise record for the most 40 point games and many more.
He has shown his leadership on and off the court. He keeps himself and his teammates accountable.
Lastly, he has shown his loyalty by staying committed to Minnesota. He has endured several trade rumors and always states how he wants to win in Minnesota. He is loyal to Minnesota and is currently the longest-tenured Wolf.
He endured years of losing because he is loyal and he wants to win just as badly as the fans.
He wants to be here and has made this his home. If he re-signs for a six-year contract after his contract is up in 2024 ( he'll be 28 ) and stays in Minnesota for the duration of his career, there should be no reason not to retire #32.
Game Recap:
Winners of 15 in their last 20 games, the Timberwolves entered the game against the Spurs trailing the Denver Nuggets by 1.5 games for the 6th seed.
After tonight's game, the Timberwolves have a stretch of games against solid teams in the Lakers, Bucks, Mavericks, Suns, and Mavericks again. The Wolves have the 6th toughest remaining schedule in the league and the 4th hardest in the West according to The Athletic.
Minnesota entered the game with a 66.9 percent chance to make the Play-In and 28.5 percent to make the 6th seed.
Minnesota started hot in Texas, they connected on 8 of 10 shots to take an early 19-14 lead.
San Antonio came alive late in the first quarter and went on an 8-0 scoring run to tie the game at 22 apiece.
The first quarter ended with both teams trading punches. Minnesota was able to get the final hit in before the end of the quarter, 40-32 Timberwolves.
D'Angelo Russel was lights out in the first quarter. He had 15 points and was a perfect 6-for-6 shooting from the field.
He missed his first attempt of the second quarter.
Minnesota kept the lead throughout the second quarter, but they failed to creat separation. The Spurs continued to battle and continued to stay in the game.
Every time it seemed the Wolves were going to go on a run, the Spurs went on a run and made stops.
With three minutes left in the second quarter, Minnesota and San Antonio were knotted at 61 apiece.
The push and pull of the tug of war continued to finish the first half. Both teams were firing on all cylinders. Minnesota had the two-point lead going into the second half, 75-73.
Minnesota needed to make stops on defense if they were to come out of San Antonio for what would be their third win in San Antonio in the last eight years.
The defense was better for Minnesota, but both teams continued to go back and forth in what was a tightly contested game.
With just under seven minutes left in the third quarter, Minnesota had a two-point lead, 92-90.
Minnesota then created the most separation we have seen since the beginning of the first quarter. With 5:57 left in the third, they had a six-point lead, 96-90.
The game just continued to go back and forth like a teeter-totter.
Minnesota created more separation at the end of the quarter and took a 121-106 lead into the fourth quarter.
I should correct that and say, KAT created separation for the Timberwolves. He had 32 points in the third quarter and 56 in the game. The 56 points tied a franchise record for points scored, previously set by KAT.
He went on set the franchise record for points scored in a game with 60 points. Just unreal. He had 17 rebounds to go with it.
In what was a close game for three quarters, the Timberwolves managed to keep to their gameplay and create the separation they needed.
They didn't allow the Spurs back in the game by keeping their foot on the pedal.
They won in San Antonio for just the third time since 2014.
DLO had 19 points and six assists. Patrick Beverly had 20 points and eight assists.
What's Next:
Minnesota will host the Lakers and Lebron James on Wednesday in what feels like a must-win game for the Wolves. With the Denver win over the Sixers, the Wolves made zero ground for the 6th seed and if they wish to keep the pressure on Denver for the 6th seed they will need to continue to win.
It is also a must-win game because, after Wednesday, the Wolves have five straight games against opponents that are all currently 5th or higher in the standings. Minnesota has to win the games against teams below them.
Minnesota has won and lost against the Lakers this year, but they have been great at the Target Center as of late. They currently have won four in a row at home.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022. at 7:00 p. m. central time
Author: Alex Bader
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