Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 keys to a successful homestand

1. Trust the pass

In six of the Timberwolves’ last eight wins, either Jeff Teague or Jimmy Butler has reached double-digit assist totals. While it is true that the team plays well when Teague plays well, they need to pass more as a unit.

The Wolves are currently 15th in the league in assists per game, but if they crack the top-10, they would be in the same company as some of the league’s elite offenses. Their last win was at Dallas, where the team finished with 27 assists — nearly five better than their average of 22.1 per game.

All five Minnesota starters scored in double-figures in their last win. In recent games, the offense has often stalled when teams are very aggressive in fronting Towns and denying him the ball. The Timberwolves need to swing the ball around the perimeter and work the ball back to Towns. Teague can not settle for jump shots with defenders in his lap.

The team is getting to the free throw line at an elite rate, but they are still one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. Trusting the pass will generate open looks, and Minnesota can use all the open 3s they can get, since Shabazz Muhammad is still struggling to get going for the bench unit.