Game Preview #34 – Timberwolves at Pistons

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Detroit Pistons
Date: January 4th, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM CST
Location: Little Caesars Arena
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Timberwolves Look to Rebound in Detroit After Tough Losses to NBA’s Elite

After back-to-back losses by the T-Wolves to the Thunder and Celtics, let me start by saying: take a breath. Yes, the Wolves fell short, but let’s keep it real—they were playing against arguably the two best teams in the NBA. These weren’t collapses or blowouts. They were tough, competitive battles where the Wolves showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell victim to their worst enemy: themselves. A bad quarter here, a rough stretch there, and suddenly you’re heading into Detroit trying to snap a two-game skid.

The Wolves sit at a pivotal juncture in their season. They’ve proven they can hang with the elite, but now it’s about finding consistency and taking care of business against teams like the Pistons. If they want to climb out of play-in purgatory and start making noise in the Western Conference standings, games like this one against Detroit are must-wins. Let’s dive into what the Wolves need to do to get back on track.

Lessons from OKC and Boston

Before we talk Detroit, let’s unpack the last two games. Against the Thunder, the Wolves controlled much of the game until an absolutely dreadful third quarter. Turnovers, sloppy defense, and a general lack of urgency let OKC erase a double-digit deficit and take over. Fast forward two days, and the Wolves had a chance to redeem themselves against the Celtics. This time, it was the second quarter that doomed them, with Boston’s perimeter shooting taking control while the Wolves sputtered.

Here’s the thing: the Wolves played well for the majority of both games. For three quarters, they looked like the team we know they can be—aggressive on defense, cohesive on offense, and capable of hanging with the NBA’s best. But in the NBA, games are 48 minutes, not 36. That’s the leap Minnesota has to make if they want to level up.

Enter Detroit: A “Get-Right” Game

Now the Wolves head to Detroit to face a scrappy but beatable Pistons team. At 15-18, Detroit is improved but still a work in progress. For the Wolves, this is less about their opponent and more about executing their own game plan. If they play to their potential, this should be a straightforward win. But as we’ve seen all season, nothing comes easy with this team.

Keys to the Game

1. Play a Full 48 Minutes

No more bad quarters. Seriously, none. The Wolves have developed a nasty habit of going ice-cold for long stretches, letting opponents go on game-changing runs. Against the Pistons, they need to stay locked in from tip-off to the final buzzer. This isn’t just about effort—it’s about focus, ball movement, and staying disciplined on both ends of the floor.

2. Limit Turnovers

Turnovers have been killing the Wolves. Mike Conley is still solid but has looked a step slow at times, and the lack of a true backup point guard has been glaring. Rob Dillingham has been out for several games and I wouldn’t expect him to see much floor time, if any. That means it’s up to Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and the other ball-handlers to keep things clean. Sloppy turnovers fuel fast breaks, and you don’t want to give Detroit’s young, athletic roster easy points in transition.

3. Dominate Inside

Detroit doesn’t have the size to match Minnesota’s frontcourt. Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Randle need to own the paint, both offensively and defensively. That means grabbing boards, protecting the rim, and punishing Detroit down low. The Wolves gave up some critical offensive rebounds against both OKC and Boston, which lead to extra opportunities for their opponents that ultimately shifted the final outcome. The Wolves bigs need to clean the glass and prevent extra possessions for the Pistons.

4. Ball Movement Is Key

When the Wolves are moving the ball, they’re tough to beat. When the offense devolves into iso-heavy hero ball, things fall apart quickly. Edwards and Randle are at their best when they’re attacking the rim and creating open looks for teammates. If the Wolves can keep the ball moving, they’ll get plenty of good shots against a Pistons defense that ranks near the bottom of the league.

Big Picture: The Road Ahead

This game is about more than just snapping a losing streak. The Wolves are still just 5.5 games out of the second seed in the West, and the middle of the conference is wide open. A win in Detroit sets the tone for a crucial stretch of winnable games, including important matchups with the Clippers and Grizzlies. If the Wolves take care of business now, they can build some momentum before a brutal late-January slate that includes the Cavs, Mavs, Knicks, and Nuggets.

Prediction: Wolves Win and Get Back on Track

This feels like a bounce-back game. The Wolves should be rested, motivated, and hungry to start 2025 on the right foot. Detroit is feisty, but Minnesota’s size and talent advantage should be too much for the Pistons to handle. Look for Edwards to have a big game, with Randle and Gobert dominating inside.

Let’s hope the Wolves can put together a complete performance and remind us all why this team has the potential to make some noise in the West. Here’s to a fresh start in the new year—now go out there and make it happen, Wolves.