Timberwolves' slide continues with latest of now-daily losses to Trail Blazers

Chris Hine, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Nov 14, 2024

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PORTLAND, ORE. – The Timberwolves didn’t lose three consecutive games all regular season in 2023-24. Only 12 games into this one, they have their first three-game losing streak after a 106-98 loss Wednesday to Portland.

What looked like a pair of easy wins on back-to-back nights against the Trail Blazers turned into a dreary couple of days. Against a shorthanded Portland team, the Wolves struggled to find good shots on offense for stretches and didn’t hit them when they did. They were 39.4% overall and 17.9% from three-point range.

With point guard Mike Conley resting for the first time this season on the tail end of a back-to-back, Nickeil Alexander-Walker got the start in his place. Alexander-Walker sparked a much better start for the Wolves than they had Tuesday night. He hit a pair of threes and drew an offensive foul as the Wolves led 33-23 after one quarter.

With the Wolves down Conley, it created room for rookie Rob Dillingham to get significant minutes to start the second quarter. Dillingham would’ve had a few assists if the Wolves had been able to knock down open three-pointers, but they started 0-for-5. Dillingham hit their only three of the quarter. The Wolves finished the first half 4-for-23 from deep. Donte DiVincenzo started the game 0-for-5.

When Dillingham exited, the offense bogged down and struggled to get good shots. It all led to a 25-15 second quarter in favor of Portland, and the teams were tied 48-48 at the half.

Anthony Edwards got going for the Wolves in the third quarter not with his three-point shot but by getting to the rim. He sparked a 12-2 Wolves run, but the Wolves relinquished their lead and the teams went into the fourth quarter tied 76-76.