Minnesota Timberwolves' December: A Defining Month

After concluding November with a thrilling 93-92 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, a game that followed Anthony Edwards' call-out of the team amidst a four-game losing streak, the Minnesota Timberwolves are aiming to build on this momentum. Currently positioned at 9-10 (11th in the West), they need a strong December to stay in the playoff race. This month will serve as a true test, revealing whether they're headed in the right direction or fading from the Western Conference playoff picture.

A Grueling December Schedule

The Timberwolves have a demanding December schedule with 11 games (the outcome of NBA Cup group play will determine the final two opponents). A significant challenge awaits, as ten of these games are against teams with a winning record. Successfully navigating this portion of the schedule is critical for their playoff aspirations. The team’s road record stands at 3-6, a significant area for improvement, especially considering seven of their December games are on the road.

Early December Showdowns

Their first game in December is a crucial matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers (12-8 record at the time of writing). The Lakers, having secured a close win against the Utah Jazz, are coming off a back-to-back and this presents an excellent opportunity for the Timberwolves to start the month strongly. This game is a rematch of their season opener, where the Lakers won 110-103. They then face the Clippers, a team they narrowly defeated 93-92 just prior to this article. This victory ended their four-game losing streak, and another win is definitely desired in December.

These matchups against the Lakers and Clippers are crucial for Minnesota; securing wins here is essential before tackling the more challenging games later in the month. The team’s quest to climb the Western Conference standings begins with tonight's game against the Lakers, a game where every point will count.

Mid-December Tests

The Timberwolves' December schedule also includes two games against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center (December 6th and 8th). The December 6th game will be the second of a back-to-back for the Warriors. These games are notable due to the history between Rudy Gobert and Draymond Green. They'll also host the Knicks on December 19th which gives Minnesota fans something to look forward to, particularly with the return of Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns' return is significant since he was a key part of the trade that brought Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves, a trade whose merit is still being debated by some.

A Challenging Finish

The latter half of December poses the biggest challenge. The Timberwolves travel to Dallas for a Christmas Day game against the Mavericks, a team that proved difficult for them in last year's Western Conference Finals and won their earlier meeting 120-114 on October 29th. This is followed by a game against the Houston Rockets on December 27th, another revenge game after a previous loss (117-105 on November 26th). The Rockets, currently on a winning streak, are causing disruption across the league. Then, on December 29th, they'll face the San Antonio Spurs, a game featuring Victor Wembanyama, which carries weight after the Timberwolves' earlier loss (113-103 on November 2nd). Their final December game is against the Oklahoma City Thunder, another strong team in the Western Conference. This concludes a month where the Timberwolves have no scheduled back-to-back games but an incredibly challenging schedule overall.

The Road Ahead and Potential Trade Moves

The Timberwolves' road record, currently 3-6, is a significant concern, especially considering the abundance of away games in December. This is a period where trade discussions could intensify, and the Timberwolves might need to make some significant moves to improve their standing. The team has been relatively injury-free so far, with Joe Ingles being the only player ruled out for the upcoming game; however, they still need more veteran experience. Anthony Edwards, as the budding superstar, will need to lead Minnesota in these crucial games.

A Look at the Lakers Matchup

The Lakers vs Timberwolves game on Monday night is set to be a high-stakes encounter. The Lakers, with a 12-8 record at the start of December, have secured a recent win. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are coming off a crucial win that ended their four-game losing streak. The Lakers have several players ruled out due to injuries, including key players like DeAngelo Russell and Austin Reaves, which raises concerns about their depth. The Lakers' offensive strength, ranked ninth in the league in field goal efficiency, contrasts with the Timberwolves' defensive weaknesses, particularly their struggles in defending field goal percentage. While Minnesota excels at three-point defense, the Lakers’ shot selection will be a deciding factor. Anthony Davis’ size and ability could create problems for the Timberwolves. The absence of Karl-Anthony Towns will certainly be felt by the Timberwolves.

While the Timberwolves have weathered some challenges relatively unscathed, the Lakers’ injury situation might give them the edge.

The Verdict: A Month of High Stakes

December will be a defining month for the Timberwolves. Their ability to navigate this challenging schedule will determine whether they can maintain their playoff hopes. The team will need to improve its road record significantly and focus on minimizing their defensive vulnerabilities. The return of Karl-Anthony Towns and the leadership of Anthony Edwards will be critical, but they might need further support if they are to make it through December with a positive record. It's a pivotal moment for the team's season, and the next few weeks will reveal their true capabilities.

The upcoming games will require a significant improvement in both offensive and defensive consistency. Every game is crucial in their quest for a playoff spot. The Timberwolves need to address their defensive issues and enhance their overall performance to secure wins against the challenging opponents in their December schedule. They need to improve on their road record significantly to make it to the playoffs.