Wolves vs. Hawks Preview: Minnesota looks to bounce back in Atlanta

Minnesota Timberwolves on Atlanta Hawks
Date: 23 December 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. CST
Location: Target center
TV coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Can the Wolves find some holiday magic in Atlanta?

They say there’s no place like home for the holidays. For Anthony Edwards and Minnesota Timberwolvesgives Monday night a chance to bring some Christmas cheer back to Minnesota by putting on a show against Atlanta Hawks. The Timberwolves desperately need a bounce-back win after a rough week, and what better way to get it right than with their franchise star playing in front of his hometown crowd?

But let’s be honest: This team’s December has been the basketball equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas movie. You think you’re getting a warm, fuzzy twist story, and then – bam! – dries up your insult like the turkey your cousin Greg left in the oven for six hours. Of course, the Wolves started the month hot, holding opponents defensively into the 80s and 90s. But over the last two games, that defensive identity disappeared faster than Buddy the Elf after drinking too much syrup.

The good, the bad and the ugly

It hasn’t all been bad. The wolves have shown glimpses of the team we thought they could be. When the defense clicks, they look like a legitimate playoff squad. But when isn’t it? Yikes. Over 100 points allowed in back-to-back losses to New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors? That’s not going to cut it for a team struggling to find its offensive footing.

Here’s the problem: The Wolves’ offense has been a mess. Mike Conley just hasn’t been the steady veteran presence they were hoping for. Behind him, there isn’t much depth at point guard. Rookie Rob Dillingham has looked electric in limited action, but Chris Finch seems reluctant to hand him the reins. And let’s not even get into the gap solutions where Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dante DiVincenzo take turns running the offense.

Then there is the matter of distance. Neither Rudy Gobert nor Julius Randle are a threat from deep, meaning defenses can pack the paint and force Anthony Edwards into a barrage of threes. If those shots fall, great. If they don’t, like last Friday against the Warriors, the offense grinds to a halt. Add in Randle’s love of “bully ball” and you have a recipe for stagnant possessions and frustrated teammates.

What is going to happen in Atlanta

If the Wolves want to get back on track, it starts with the defense. I know I sound like a broken record, but it’s true. When the Wolves hit the D, they win games. It’s that simple. They need Rudy, Randle and Naz Reid to own the paint and make life miserable for Clint Capela and Atlanta’s bigs. Trae Young is listed as a game-time decision, but let’s assume he plays. The Wolves’ wings, especially Jaden McDaniels and Alexander-Walker, must swarm him and limit Atlanta’s looks from deep.

Offensively, the Wolves need to regain some flow. We can’t have another repeat of Friday night’s disaster, where it felt like they were trying to set the record for most scoreless minutes in a quarter. Ball movement is key. The Wolves need to keep the ball moving, make the extra pass and – here’s a wild idea – hit some open shots. Edwards will be motivated to perform in front of his hometown crowd, but Finch needs to put him in positions to succeed. No more isolation heavy hero ball; let the offense work for him.

And for the love of all things bright and cheerful, avoid the slow start. The Wolves cannot dig themselves a hole early and expect to break out, especially against a Hawks team that has played well of late.

Why this game matters

This four-game stretch against the Knicks, Warriors, Hawks and Mavericks was always going to be tough. Most fans would probably have been happy with a 2-2 split, but after dropping the first two, the margin for error is gone. A win in Atlanta would not only right the ship, but also set the stage for a potential momentum-building Christmas Day showdown with Dallas.

Let’s not sugar coat it: the Western Conference standings are close. The Wolves cling to the 10th seed, but they are also just five games out of the no. 2 place. This season is not lost – not by a long shot – but they need to start piling up wins, and that starts Monday night.

Final thoughts

This game is a gut check for Minnesota. Do they have the mental toughness to bounce back from two bad losses? Can they find their defensive mojo again and pull off a win? Those are the questions the Wolves will have to answer – not just in Atlanta, but over the next ten days as they navigate a brutal December schedule.

Because as frustrating as this team can be, the talent is there. We have seen it. They just need to play to their strengths, execute the fundamentals and, most importantly, stay locked in on defense.

So we hope that Ant puts on a show for the hometown crowd, that the Wolves find their identity and that we all get a little Christmas cheer in the form of a much-needed win. It’s not too late for this team to turn things around—there’s still plenty of basketball left, after all. And who doesn’t love a good redemption story around Christmas?