Brooklyn Nets: 3 things to watch in a matinee with Minnesota
By Phil Watson
1. Wolves are 2-2 since Covington, Saric cleared to play
The Minnesota Timberwolves essentially swapped one All-Defensive wing player in Jimmy Butler for another in Robert Covington, who came from the Philadelphia 76ers along with Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick, with Justin Pattin going to Philly with Butler.
Covington has started each of the four games he’s been with Minnesota, with the Timberwolves going with a huge starting unit that includes center Karl-Anthony Towns with Taj Gibson and Covington at the forwards and Jeff Teague running the point alongside 6-foot-8 Andrew Wiggins at the 2.
Covington is off to a strong start in Minnesota, averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 steals in 34.8 minutes per game on .488/.500/3-for-5 shooting.
Saric has found the adjustment a little more difficult, as he’s moved from being a starter in Philadelphia back to a reserve role with the Timberwolves. Saric is averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 26 minutes per game, shooting .400/7-for-18/9-for-9.
The Wolves are averaging 101.8 points per game and have shot 43.7 percent overall and just 30.3 percent from 3-point range since the trade and have turned the ball over 16.5 times per game
The scoring is well down from their season average of 109.1 points a game and their 3-point shooting is off from their 36.8 percent mark for the season. Minnesota’s overall shooting is identical, however, with their turnover average up to 14.5 now.
Defensively, the Wolves are vastly improved, allowing 99.8 points per game over their last four on 43.6 percent shooting overall and 35.8 percent from deep.
On the season, Minnesota allowed 113.4 points a night on 46.1 percent shooting and 37.2 percent from long range.