Wolves

Shabazz Muhammad's goal: more consistency

Muhammad said he has worked hard on improving his defense – despite struggling at times against Carmelo Anthony in a loss to New York Saturday.

By Kent Youngblood

February 22, 2016 at 6:30PM

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) drives against New Orleans Pelicans forward Alonzo Gee (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, in New Orleans. The Pelicans won 114-99. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman) (Mike Nelson — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Wolves guard/forward Shabazz Muhammad will admit that this season, for him, has been a series of ups and downs, both in minutes played and in production.

"I definitely need to find more consistency," he said after this morning's shootaround in preparation for tonight's game with Boston at Target Center. "Today would be a great day to have another good one.''

At times Muhammad brings just the energy the Wolves need. At other times his production has suffered. Interim coach Sam Mitchell has always said Muhammad earns his playing time by how he plays when he gets on the court.

To that end, Muhammad said he has worked hard on improving his defense – despite struggling, at times against Carmelo Anthony in a loss to New York Saturday.

But there have definitely been ups and downs. In an eight game stretch in January, Muhammad scored in double figures in every game and averaged 13.5 points. Then, starting Jan. 31 when he went scoreless against Portland, Muhammad averaged just 7.6 points over a six-game stretch.

But he appears to be rediscovering his touch.

Muhammad had 12 points on 5-for-11 shooting in Memphis. Then, Saturday, he came off the bench to score 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including going 2-for-2 on three-pointers.

Here are some other items from this morning:

--Muhammad mentioned in conversation that the Wolves will go with Zach LaVine in the starting lineup again tonight.

--Karl-Anthony Towns said he and Isaiah Thomas will probably talk at some point tonight about their matchup in the finals of the Skills Competition over All Star weekend. Towns became the first big man to win the event when he beat Thomas in the final round.

"It was all fun and games up to the finals," Towns said. "When it really counted it was very competitive.''

--Both Towns and Muhammad raved about Anthony Davis and the 59-point, 20-rebound performance he had in New Orleans' victory over Detroit Sunday night.

"I mean that's monstrous," Muhammad said. "Detroit is a good team. And Andrew (Drummond) was an All Star, too. Just remarkable.''

Said Towns: "It was amazing. I can't even say any words about that. Unbelievable. I guess Kentucky is taking over the NBA. We're trying our best.''

Both Davis and Towns played at Kentucky, of course.