The Wolves are confident that they can put Tuesday’s disappointing result in
Memphis behind them and get a win on Thursday night in Orlando. This is about as
close to a must-win game as you can get.
“We had a great team meeting yesterday and we talked about a sense of urgency,
but we also had a great spirit about us again. The guys are all in a good way
and we feel good about things,” said Interim Head Coach Ryan Saunders.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been through enough seasons in the NBA to understand the
importance of this part of the season. Towns refuses to give up on the goal of
making the playoffs.
“While everyone is counting us out, we’re counting ourselves in… We have a lot
of time, but we have a lot of room to grow and a lot of things we have to do if
we expect to be there. With the team we have and the unity we contain, anything
is possible.”
One positive thing from Tuesday was the play of Dario Saric, who had one of his
best games of the season, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds and five
assists. Saric said before the game that he has been feeling more comfortable
with his role in Minnesota in the last few weeks, and he reiterated that on
Thursday.
“I think I found a way now how to play,” said Saric. “Try to be aggressive, stay
aggressive the whole game, try to find a way to open shots for my teammates if I
get the ball, and I really tried to play a good game.”
“Of course, you feel better when you score three in a row,” he continued. “I
really feel good. I was in my mind, try to play good, try to fight, try to bring
the energy to the team.”
Saric’s play on Tuesday was a sight for sore eyes for his coach.
“He was just really active from the start and it wasn’t just based on shots
going in,” said Saunders. “He was the one guy we had early on that was active
cutting, he communicated great, and he was good defensively too. I think a lot
of times when you don’t play as well as you know you’re capable of, if you can
get those things going, and you can activate your body, a lot of times
everything else falls into place.”
Thursday is complicated further by the NBA trade deadline. However, Saunders
said that the team is taking things in stride.
“You know that these days, they happen every year, it’s part of the business and
everybody understands that, players, coaches support staff, and I think for the
most part everybody approaches it in the same way,” said Saunders. “I think when
you’re in a situation that’s maybe talked about a lot in terms of trades, that
can affect you a little bit more, but for the most part guys just want to come
to work and approach that.”
For more info on tonight’s game, check out our scouting report.
Player: Dario Saric
Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
Media Content:
https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/shootaround-report-bounce-back-opportunitie
s-darios-resurgence
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dario Saric, Karl-Anthony
Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Media Thumbnail:
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Taxonomy: Shootaround Report
Story Link:
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s-darios-resurgence
