Analysis
The Wolves are 20.7 points per 100 possessions worse with Hyland on the floor, per Basketball Reference, and the number is real. But it splits cleanly: plus-17.4 with Lyles beside him, deep in the red without. Give the pair 20 minutes.
Analysis
Cooper Flagg scored 43 on Monday and makes 83.3% of his shots at the rim, but only 39.2% from three to 10 feet. On Thursday the Wolves should wall off the basket, keep their hands back and stay home on Kyrie Irving.
Analysis
Minnesota's starting five committed 20 of its 22 turnovers against Utah. The scoring was enough Sunday, but the homestand needs cleaner possessions.
Analysis
Utah has lost seven straight and gives the ball away more than almost anyone. Chris Finch is proud of how LaMelo Ball is competing on defense. On Sunday, the Wolves should turn Jazz mistakes into the easy baskets New Orleans got on Friday.
Analysis
Minnesota and New Orleans scored 88 points apiece from the field on Friday. The Wolves, the league's worst free-throw shooting team, won 115-109 because they made 27 free throws to the Pelicans' 21. That's the formula for Sunday against Utah too.
Analysis
New Orleans takes fewer threes than anyone, lives at the rim and makes more free throws than any team in the league. In Friday's NBA Cup game, the Wolves should pack the paint, keep their hands back and let the Pelicans' guards shoot.
Analysis
Kuminga is shooting 46.3% from three and has seven turnovers in nine games, playing the smallest role of his career. With Anthony Edwards out, Minnesota should fix his short game and leave the rest alone.
Analysis
Rudy Gobert scored eight points and went 2-of-6 at the line in the 117-107 win over the Rockets. He was still a big reason Minnesota won, and his last two minutes showed why the Wolves need him without Anthony Edwards.
News
Omier backed out of a two-way deal with Minnesota to join Cleveland. The Wolves should still spend the open spot on frontcourt size, because the Spurs game showed how thin it is.
Analysis
With Clint Capela and Steven Adams out, the only center behind Şengün is a two-way player. The Wolves should make Şengün defend on every trip and own the glass in the minutes he sits.
Analysis
Ball carried the scoring against Milwaukee. With Ayo Dosunmu handling more of the passing, Minnesota found a division of labor worth keeping.
Analysis
Minnesota's reserves scored 49 and 51 before falling to 24 in San Antonio. Chris Finch should stagger Dosunmu with them before treating one bad night as a broken rotation.
Analysis
Finch has an opening for Williams against Milwaukee. Minnesota should build his audition around moving without the ball and making the next pass.
Analysis
Clark has taken eight threes in three games after attempting one in his first three appearances. Minnesota should give that willingness room to survive a cold night.
Analysis
Beringer played the entire fourth quarter after four third-quarter fouls against San Antonio. Finch should keep giving him chances to work through trouble.
Analysis
Milwaukee gives up the third-highest share of shots at the rim and forces fewer turnovers than any defense in the league. After a 2-for-10 night in San Antonio, Ball's drive is Monday's best play.
Analysis
Victor Wembanyama scored 43 in San Antonio's 121-111 win. The Wolves should start their response with the 16 offensive rebounds they allowed.
