More and more, the accepted offensive formula for winning in the NBA includes lots of 3-pointers, lots of layups or dunks, but not a whole lot of what comes in-between.
In that regard, the Timberwolves continue to zig while the rest of the league zags. So far, it's working. Minnesota just wound up a 5-0 homestand _ on the second in franchise history _ with a one-sided victory over Portland.
In five games against four teams currently in NBA playoff position, the Wolves won the five games by an average of almost 18 points. For just the second time in team history the Wolves won five straight games, all by 10 or more points.
And they did it the old-fashioned way. With a lot of defense, a lot of rebounding, a lot of points in the paint.
But, relatively speaking, without the 3-pointer.
In a league that has embraced the long range shot, the Wolves remain outliers. While compiling a 29-16 record _ the sixth best in the entire league and fourth in the Western Conference _ the Wolves remain near the bottom in 3-pointers attempted per game (22.7, 28th), made per game (8.0, 29th) and 3-point shooting percentage (.352, 25th).
To coach Tom Thibodeau, it's just a matter of what his team does best.
"You have to look at, 'What does each guy do well?' " he said. "And then it's, 'OK, I'm going to try to take advantage of those strengths.' Don't lead a guy into trouble. If someone isn't good at something, don't lead him into something he's not good at. But if he's good at something, take advantage of that."
The Wolves have a stretch-five in center Karl-Anthony Towns, who can hit the 3, but is also efficient inside. Forward Taj Gibson has some of the best post moves in the league. Guard Jeff Teague is uncanny with his ability to get into the paint.
You get the idea.
Thibodeau uses San Antonio as an example. Under coach Gregg Popovich the team was paint-centric when David Robinson, and then Tim Duncan were there. Popovich adjusted when Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker hit their primes.
This Wolves team is winning _ and scoring _ in a slightly unique fashion. They don't take, or make, a lot of 3-pointers. But they remain sixth in points, and fourth on offensive rating by doing other things. Minnesota is second in the league in points off turnovers (18.9), sixth in second-chance points (14.2), sixth in points in the paint (47.9). They are third in steals (9.1) and have the second-fewest turnovers in the league. The Wolves get to the free throw line a lot; their 19.5 makes per game is third in the league.
Thibodeau is still determined to close the gap when it comes to 3-pointers, with attempts ticking up slightly from last season. "We'd still like to take more," he said. "Hopefully we will. Getting (Nemanja) Bjelica back will help in that area."
But, for the near future, improved defense and efficient offense is the key.
"He wants us to take 3s, he really does," said Jamal Crawford, who has the sixth most 3-pointers made in NBA history (2,103) and third most attempts (6,022). "But, if you look at the midrange, in the end, we're really good. And it's worked out for us. We don't turn down threes. But we don't hunt them. We're not Golden State or anything. But we will take our 3s."
The Wolves have also had remarkable balance in their scoring. In Friday's victory over New York, all five starters and three players off the bench scored in double figures. Sunday six players scored between 10 and 24 points. And the Wolves had a different leading scorer in each quarter _ Andrew Wiggins in the first (nine), Bjelica in the second (five), Teague in the third (10) and Butler in the fourth (nine).
"We're taking shots we're comfortable with," Teague said. "I wish we took more (3-pointers), but if it works, it works."
Said Crawford: "This is the first team I've been on that we've had five or six guys who can really carry you for a quarter. And that's different in and of itself. It would be dumb of us not to play to our strengths."
