After addressing roster weaknesses following a loss to the Knicks, the Timberwolves have started to solve defensive struggles when Rudy Gobert is resting by utilizing a specific lineup with Julius Randle and Naz Reid, supported by strong perimeter defenders. This adjustment has led to improved performance in recent games.
Last week, after a blowout loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, we wrote about how the Timberwolves' roster. One was the lack of a true reliable starting point guard. The other, more pressing one was the lack of a backup center in the rotation, and what that had meant early on for Minnesota's defense whenever Rudy Gobert has to rest.
for points scored in a two-game span with blowout wins over the Jazz and Kings to get to 6-4 ahead of Monday night's rematch with Utah. And while the competition has to be taken into account, Chris Finch appears to have found a potential solution to the Timberwolves' defensive struggles in non-Gobert minutes. With Finch not yet trusting rookie Joan Beringer, the frontcourt consists of Julius Randle and Naz Reid whenever Gobert sits. They're both 6'9", offense-focused power forwards, and that duo got off to an atrocious start to the season on defense, which is largely why the non-Gobert numbers were so bad through eight games. When Randle and Reid are on the floor together, the Wolves can't also have offensive-minded players like Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Terrence Shannon Jr., or Rob Dillingham out there. There's just not enough defense in those groups to survive against NBA offenses. So Finch has made a logical change. Over the last two games, this is the lineup the Wolves have leaned on when Rudy is off the court:That's now Minnesota's third-most-used five-man lineup so far this season, behind only the two starting groups with and without Edwards. And in 19 total minutes, that unit has a net rating of +14.6. Over just the last two games, it's +23.7. It makes sense why that specific lineup has worked. To protect the Randle-Reid frontcourt on the defensive end of the floor requires strong perimeter defense in the backcourt and wing spots. Clark and McDaniels are the Wolves' two most tenacious on-ball defenders. McDaniels is also quite good as a help defender and weakside rim protector because of his length and instincts.To be clear, a two-game sample size against the Jazz and Kings isn't nearly enough to declare that the Wolves have fixed their issue of defending without Gobert. Their next two games are also against the Jazz and Kings, so we might not know if it's a real fix until they start to play some better competition. But for now, it's working a lot better than whatever the Wolves were trying before — and it's pretty clear that Clark needs to have a significant rotational role even when Shannon returns from his foot injury. If Reid and Randle are on the floor together, must also have McDaniels and Clark on the floor. That's gotta be the band-aid, at least for now. Finch's 1st quarter rotation hints that's the plan. McDaniels and Randle first subs out, and at the scorer's table to come back in for…Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.
Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Defense Lineup Rudy Gobert
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Patrick Mahomes Pushes for Texas Tech Defensive Star to Get Heisman RecognitionMahomes, the ‘College GameDay’ guest picker Saturday, is on the Jacob Rodriguez bandwagon.
Read more »
Timberwolves vs Kings Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA GameAnthony Edwards and Minnesota will put on an offensive clinic in California tonight, per our Timberwolves vs. Kings predictions for Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Read more »
Kings Announce Final Injury Status for Sabonis Before Tipoff vs. TimberwolvesSacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis was a game-time decision leading up to the contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Read more »
NBA Monday Night Betting Preview: Lakers, Timberwolves, and Prop BetsA breakdown of Monday night's NBA slate, focusing on betting opportunities. The analysis highlights a moneyline parlay involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, and also discusses potential player props, including those for Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham. The preview considers team form, injuries, and statistical trends.
Read more »
What could the Grizzlies seek from Timberwolves, if moving Ja Morant?The Timberwolves have reportedly inquired about Ja Morant, and although the trade would be complex, could Morant and Anthony Edwards be teammates?
Read more »
Timberwolves vs Jazz Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA GameGet the best Timberwolves vs. Jazz predictions ahead of Monday's Western Conference clash at the Delta Center. Free NBA picks for November 10.
Read more »