true ios true ios true android false computer $upper($url_encode($(QUERY_STRING{'bypassCountry'}))) NONE $url_encode($(GEO{'country_code'})) $url_encode($(GEO{'country_code'})) $(bpc) true true false The Day After: Wolves vs. Pacers Quick Hits | NBA.com
featured-image

The Day After: Wolves vs. Pacers Quick Hits

Dane MizutaniWeb Editorial AssociateEmail / Twitter

Wolves coach Flip Saunders took more than 20 minutes to address members of the media after Sunday night’s loss to the Indiana Pacers — a noticeably longer time than most other games this season. Though his team had nearly mounted a 19-point comeback, Saunders wasn’t satisfied with what had just transpired on the court. An inspired effort after halftime made it a game down the stretch as Minnesota went on a 17-1 to get right back into it. That didn’t at all make up for the lackadaisical performance in the first 24 minutes, though. Mo Williams, who was playing with a bad back, carried the Wolves throughout the night. He finished with 24 points and 10 assists and singlehandedly kept the game from getting away from Minnesota. Saunders saw positives amid the frustrating outing, though a disappointing first half drowned out most of those positives. Here’s a deeper look at the game against the Pacers:

CARRYING THEM ON HIS (BAD) BACK

Mo Williams has missed a handful of games this season as he deals with recurring back spasms, and while he’s still battling through the pain, he carried the team on his back amid the loss to the Pacers. Williams netted his fifth double-double of the season as he finished with 24 points and 10 assists in the contest. In the midst of his outstanding effort on the stat sheet, Williams also served as a calming force for the team. Zach LaVine has held down the floor general role as of late and has been very up and down with his performances. LaVine tends to rush with the ball in his hands and doesn’t always setup the offense. Williams brings more of a veteran presence to that position and that was apparent Sunday night as the Wolves flowed better with Williams at the helm. It remains to be seen whether Saunders will opt to insert the 11-year veteran back into the starting lineup in the coming weeks. It might not be a bad idea.

MUHAMMAD FINDING HIS GROOVE

Shabazz Muhammad has worked his was into the starting lineup with his effort over the last few weeks. He’s been a consistent force off the bench, and when the team decided to part ways with Corey Brewer via trade, Muhammad filled the void left by Brewer in the starting lineup. It’s a role he’s definitely earned with his work this year. That said Muhammad looks like he’s been pressing in the early parts of the two recent games he’s started. Though he figured it down the stretch in both games, it looks like he’s trying to do too much. It’s very possible that he flourished in his role off the bench because there wasn’t a lot of pressure. He could simply check in and outwork other reserves on his way to big games. Muhammad will figure out his new role (he works too hard to think otherwise), but he might benefit from returning to his role off the bench when Kevin Martin returns from injury in a few weeks.

‘HE CAN’T PICK AND CHOOSE’

Andrew Wiggins was a microcosm of the loss to the Pacers on Sunday night. Though he had a few big plays late in the game, Saunders said that didn’t make up for his overall lack of effort early in the contest. Wiggins, who some critics have said tends to float during games, proved those critics right against Indiana. Wiggins didn’t look engaged at various points through the game and Saunders noticed. That’s something that will need to change in the coming weeks. It was clear that Saunders was frustrated with Wiggins after the game — and he has a right to be frustrated. Wiggins has looked like the unquestioned No. 1 pick on some nights this season, and then he’ll randomly give a disengaged 5-point effort like he did Sunday night. His consistency will improve as the season progresses. Saunders will make sure of it. These are growing pains that were to be expected from the 19-year-old this season.

5 PERCENT OF THE PLAYBOOK

Saunders admitted Sunday night that the team is only using about 5 percent of the playbook right now. He’s trying to simplify things as much as possible with the gluttony of rookies and second-year players playing significant minutes. Though this comment should be taken with a grain of salt as a team only using 5 percent of its current playbook seems like a bit of hyperbole, it’s not unreasonable to think that Saunders has had to significantly dial it back with the current personnel he has right now. In the game against the Washington Wizards last week, fans got a glimpse of what a fully array of plays could look like in the future (Saunders coached the Wizards and that team still runs most of the same plays). John Wall and the Wizards have flourished in that system and have developed into one of the top-tier teams in the Eastern Conference this season. That’s a tangible goal for the Wolves. As this youth-laden squad continues to develop there’s a good chance they could grow into a solid team. Ricky Rubio is scheduled to return in a few weeks and Saunders said the team will open up the playbook with Rubio back in the lineup.