DENVER – The Timberwolves at least learned a little something in losing four of their previous five games against some of the best teams in the NBA.
For one, coach Chris Finch said the Wolves have to up their level of competitiveness.
"We're not just competing when the game is kind of turning against us," Finch said. "We could be competing just by finishing better or competing in transition defense or just one more slide or one more reach. The margin's very small right now when you play really good teams at a high level headed into the playoffs."
Specifically, Finch said the Wolves need to increase their physicality against this caliber of opponent. The Wolves have been reacting to others' physical play and not setting the tone themselves in that area.
"We're not the most physical team. I don't think we're fooling anybody by saying that," Finch said. "But we got to find ways to be more physical and instead of just taking the physicality, figure out how we can dictate it a little bit too."
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt is one of the most physical players the Wolves have. There's a line he has to walk, he said, when it comes to playing that style.
"I try sometimes and it results in some cheap fouls," Vanderbilt said. "But as we know in the playoffs, a lot of those aren't going to be called. Just trying to have a hit-first mentality, match physicality and just be physical. The games are going to get more and more physical as the season goes on, especially in the playoffs."
Vanderbilt said he prefers when officials let both teams play.
