The NBA regular season continued, and the Timberwolves' game against the Pistons officially began. After the game began, the two teams played very fiercely, the strength displayed at both ends of the attack and defense was also very balanced, and the point difference was maintained in single digits. In the first quarter, the Pistons led by one point. In the second quarter, the difference between the two teams was only 2 points. However, in the second half, the Timberwolves played more and more smoothly on the offensive end, and the defensive end was also very good at limiting the Pistons. In the end, after four quarters of the game, the Timberwolves won 128-117 against the Pistons.
Objectively speaking, the Pistons lost this game. However, the resilience of the Pistons in this game is still worthy of recognition. After all, the Timberwolves are still far stronger than the Pistons in terms of overall strength. However, in this game of far differences in strength, the Pistons played very well on the offensive end. The Pistons scored in double figures for five players throughout the game: Bay 21 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists, Grant 20 points and 5 rebounds, Stewart 10 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson 25 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and Lyles 13 points. Unfortunately, the Pistons' excellent performance was still defeated by hard power.
Okay, after talking about the losing Pistons, let's talk about the timberwolves who won. There is no doubt that the main reason why the Timberwolves can laugh to the end of this game is that the Timberwolves' inside advantage is very obvious. Of course, there is only one main reason for the Timberwolves' obvious internal advantage, that is, downs' strength. Towns played 35 minutes, shooting 6-of-15 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line, with 21 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Obviously, from the data alone, you can feel how strong Downs's dominance is at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends. Even the term "dominating both ends of the offensive and defensive lines" is not an exaggeration to describe Downs' role on the field.
Let's start with the offensive end. Yes, Downs' efficiency on the offensive end of this game is really not high only 40%. However, Downs' role on the offensive end of this game is irreplaceable. To put it bluntly, Towns is the only player the Timberwolves can stand on the inside. With the ball near the three-second zone, Towns has a very good back-to-back singles ability. Picking up the ball in the mid-range, Towns has a mid-range shot with a breakaway for which it can attract the bag to create an open shot for teammates. In a word, Towns is the core of the Timberwolves' offense on the offensive end, and in the final battle, the Timberwolves will pass down Towns' hand almost every time they attack.
Speaking of the offensive end, let's talk about the defensive end. In the eyes of most fans, Downs' defense is very bad, and even in the eyes of most fans, Towns' defense is very bad. Still, we're realistically saying that Downs' role on the defensive end is very important. Although he didn't have much explosive power, maybe he didn't have much speed. However, Towns has height, strength, arm span and a wealth of experience in grabbing rebounds. To put it bluntly, the Pistons' rebounding was completely at a disadvantage when Towns was on the floor, and the Pistons' interior offense was also very poor when Towns was on the floor. Conversely, once Towns is off the field, the Pistons will be relatively easy to attack, whether it is rebounding or inside.
Say a thousand, say ten thousand, this game Downs played the momentum, played the strength. Speaking of which, I can't help but think of the fans' doubts. In the eyes of many fans, Towns is just a pseudo-superstar, because he has not been able to bring the Timberwolves out of the predicament. For this reason, many fans also questioned whether Downs should be selected as an All-Star. However, Towns proved his worth with strength, dispelled the doubts of fans with strength, and blocked the mouths of doubters with practical actions.