5 Ways Minnesota Timberwolves have evolved into the best team in the West

How the Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as the best team in the Western Conference.

Philadelphia 76ers v Minnesota Timberwolves
Philadelphia 76ers v Minnesota Timberwolves | David Berding/GettyImages
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Patrolling the Perimeter

Some teams do a decent job of protecting the paint but find themselves compromised when dealing with opponents' perimeter scoring. To be clear, Minnesota is not one of those teams. This season, the Wolves are limiting opposing teams to 33.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Outside of the New Orleans Pelicans, no other NBA team has contained their opponents' 3-point efficiency like Minnesota has.

Perhaps aware of this facet of the Wolves' defense (and because, you know, Rudy Gobert exists), teams have turned to their midrange game to get more scoring production. Though Minnesota actually leads the league in opponents' field goal attempts from 15 to 19 feet, they're also among the best in defending this range, limiting their foes to just 36.8% shooting.

The Wolves' perimeter defense is orchestrated by long-limbed, technically gifted wings like Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Plus, if you search for "Anthony Edwards highlights" on YouTube, you're sure to find impressive steals and scintillating blocks next to Ant-Man's jaw-dropping dunks.