The Minnesota Timberwolves want to make their home court a little less inviting.
A year ago, the Timberwolves dominated at home, where they went 30-11 during the regular season. That success has not carried over into this season as Minnesota has stumbled to a 12-12 record at home and failed to generate much momentum.
The Timberwolves will get another chance to establish home-court advantage when they tip off against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.
“When you look at the splits (for our home games), it comes down to the defense,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “(Our) defensive energy is just, you know, we are bottom three, five in transition, rebounding, on-ball contain, off-ball pursuit.
“It’s effort categories.”
This is the third contest in a five-game homestand for Minnesota. The Timberwolves dropped the first two games — a 105-103 loss against the league-worst Washington Wizards on Saturday and a 116-114 setback versus the short-handed Sacramento Kings on Monday.
Now the Timberwolves will take on the Bulls, who also will be playing with a depleted roster after a three-team trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings. The Bulls received Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins and Tre Jones in the deal, but none of the newcomers are expected to play Wednesday as the front office considers shipping one or more of them to another team before Thursday’s trade deadline.
The deadline looms over Minnesota, as well, as it explores ways to solidify a group that hopes to compete deep into the Western Conference playoffs.
Timberwolves guard Mike Conley said he and his teammates understood that this week could be hard to predict, especially after a stunning blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
“I (told the team), put your ringers on loud, be ready for whatever,” Conley said. “When you see something like that, it’s such a surprise to everybody that two of the most untouchable guys out there, A.D. and Luka, (could be traded). So, for all of us, it puts us all on alert to try and get through it.”
Anthony Edwards will try to shake off a rough shooting performance (7-for-21) in the Sacramento game, when he returned from an illness. Edwards said he felt tired after the game but was confident that he would feel stronger going forward.
Edwards is averaging 26.5 points this season to lead the Timberwolves. Julius Randle is second with 18.9 points per game, but he is out because of a groin injury.
Donte DiVincenzo also remains out for Minnesota because of a toe injury. He ranks fourth on the team with 11.0 points per game.
The Bulls will go for their second win in as many nights after knocking off the Miami Heat 133-124 on Tuesday night in Chicago. Rookie Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey tied for the team lead with 24 points apiece.
Buzelis, who will participate in the NBA’s slam dunk contest during All-Star weekend, has responded well to increased playing time after a quieter start to the season.
“My confidence right now is high, but you’ve got to stay humble,” Buzelis said. “My dad always tells me the sun comes up tomorrow, so you’ve got to go back to work.”
