Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 keys to a successful homestand

2. Contest every shot

One of the biggest reasons for Minnesota’s defensive struggles is their propensity to  give up easy looks. They are currently dead last in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage at 48.5 percent. The T-Wolves have some personnel difficulties — especially in the bench unit — that make it hard for them to lock down certain teams, but defense is about effort.

Closing out on shooters and doing all you can to recover gives your defense a chance to get stops. The Orlando Magic have lost five games in a row, and have not cracked 100 points in their last three games. Giving them easy buckets early would help them regain the confidence they had to start the season.

Following the Orlando game, the Wolves will play Miami, Phoenix and Washington. All three of these teams have shooting guards who can heat up and score at will, sometimes even with a hand in their face.

Minnesota can come out of this stretch with a four-game winning streak, but it will start with fundamental defense. They will need to limit the opposition’s easy buckets to give themselves a chance, since it’s hard for most teams to keep up with Timberwolves’ offense.