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Minnesota Timberwolves Great in 1st Half, Bad in 2nd

By Paul Bellesen

Nov 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kris Dunn (3) shakes hands with forward Andrew Wiggins (22) after making a shot in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 116-80. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kris Dunn (3) shakes hands with forward Andrew Wiggins (22) after making a shot in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 116-80. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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With four games down, the Minnesota Timberwolves are 1-3. One of the main reasons for this is their play in the 2nd half in comparison to the first.

Now that we have seen a few games of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tom Thibodeau era, we can tell that this team has a ways to go before it is playing the way the new head coach invisions.

With four games down, this team in now 1-3, and their only win coming against a Memphis team who sat their stars and started two rookies.

The Timberwolves have come out of the gate playing well, especially in the first quarter. In all three loses, they held leads of 3 over Memphis(although there was a point in the first they were up by 17), 9 in Sacramento, and 12 against Denver.

Where this team is falling short is coming out of the half. In the third quarter they have been outscored in all of their losses, allowing teams to close the gap or take the lead making the game come down to the final period. The Timberwolves were outscored by 10 in Memphis, 19 in Sacramento, and 19 in Denver.

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The Timberwolves overall point differential by quarter this year so far is very telling. In the 1st quarter, they are +37. Then in the 2nd quarter, they are +15. In the 3rd quarter, they are -60. In the 4th quarter, they are +10. They have the best 1st half plus/minus in the NBA, while having the 4th worst 2nd half plus/minus.

Showing how much they have been outscored in the third, and looking at the final result of their losses, loosing by 3 twice, and 4 once, shows that this team has played well to close those gaps in the fourth but it just has not been enough. They had dug too deep of a hole for themselves.

It should also be noted that the Timberwolves have the best 1st half field goal percentage in the league, although they have the second worst 2nd half field goal percentage.

This is something this team must learn how to do. They must learn how to hold leads, and play an even game through all quarters. When loosing by less that 5 points in their three loses, it is easy to see such small mistakes as being so vital, but we must remember, with Rubio out this team is starting 4 players under the age of 22. They are also playing under a new head coach.

The Timberwolves “Big Three” of Towns, Wiggins, and Lavine have all played well over these games. Rookie, now starting point guard, Kris Dunn has also played well since being promoted. His instincts on the defensive side of the ball are amazing.

Next: Could Lavine Outshine Wiggins?

It is going to take some time for this team to get it together. But, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the talent and the coach to take the next step.

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