Timberwolves suddenly have one of the best offenses in the league
Don't look now but the Wolves suddenly have one of the best offenses in the entire NBA.
Fresh off a 37-point blowout of the hapless Blazers the Wolves head into the All-Star break on a 7-3 stretch that featured a notable uptick in offensive play.
According to Stat Muse the Wolves; 123.3 offensive rating is the second best in the league, only behind Atlanta's 123.8 rating. Throughout the season, Minnesota's strong play was anchored by the best defense in the league and middling offense (116.2 offensive rating, 17th best in the league this season).
That has now flipped with Stat Muse showing the Wolves have the second best effective field goal percentage over the last 10 games, 58.6% up from 56.6% on the season. Minnesota are also the most accurate three-point shooting team over that stretch as well, 41.6% from three up from a 39.3% season average.
Best offensive rating (last 10 games)
- Atlanta Hawks - 123.8
- Minnesota Timberwolves - 123.3
- Cleveland Cavaliers - 123.1
- Boston Celtics - 122.8
- Golden State Warriors - 122.3
Best offensive rating this season
- Boston Celtics - 121.7
- Indiana Pacers - 120.9
- Los Angeles Clippers - 120.6
- Oklahoma City Thunder - 120.4
- Milwaukee Bucks - 119.8 17. Minnesota Timberwolves - 116.2
Notably that hasn't taken anything away from the defensive side of the ball, where the Wolves are still in a class by themselves.
Feb 15, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives to the basket during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) at Moda Center.
© Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Best defensive rating (last 10 games)
- Minnesota Timberwolves- 108.1
- Cleveland Cavaliers - 110.4
- Miami Heat - 110.5
- Golden State Warriors - 112.3
- Phoenix Suns - 112.3
Best defensive rating this season
- Minnesota Timberwolves - 108.8
- Cleveland Cavaliers - 111.0
- Boston Celtics - 111.5
- Orlando Magic - 112.6
- Houston Rockets - 113.0
While normally that 7-3 stretch would normally lead doubters to complain about the schedule they faced over that time, they can't with the Wolves. Minnesota faced six playoff teams (including play-in teams) during that run, going 4-2 against them and 3-0 against the Thunder, Clippers and Bucks.
This all bodes well for a Timberwolves side that play 17 of their final 27 games at home, including an eight game homestand coming out of the All-Star break.
Minnesota will need the offensive improvement to keep going as they will also play 17 teams currently in playoff or play-in spots over the final 27 games of the season.
