Wolves' increase in assists a positive sign

One sign of the Wolves' improved team play might be the number of assists the team is racking up. High assists usually means unselfish play, which means the ball is moving and players are getting good looks.

The Wolves are 11th in the league overall at 23 assists per game. In January they are ninth at 24.5. But over the past 10 games — in which the Wolves have had two three-game winning streaks — the Wolves are fourth in the league at 25.6 assists per game.

"We're making more shots now,'' Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. "The two guys who are getting double-teamed quite a bit, they're making better plays, they're reading defenses better and that's creating more opportunities.''

He was referring to Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has been drawing two and three defenders in the post, and teams have been working extra hard on Wiggins in the pick-and-roll. And point guard Ricky Rubio has averaged 11.6 assists per game in that time.

"It's the chemistry, moving the ball,'' Rubio said. "Knowing our teammates and the system better.''

That kind of team play often translates to success. Golden State (31) and Houston (25.7) are 1-2 in assists in the league.

"The one thing is to share the ball,'' Thibodeau said. "And that shows connection. We talk about that all the time, to be connected both offensively and defensively. The assists, that shows you that. When we make quick decisions, and don't hold on to it, don't dance with it, good things happen.''

After missing two games, LaVine returned and shot 16-for-43 over the next four games, a 37.2 percent clip. In the past two games he has shot 12-for-26. Thursday he scored 23 points, his first 20-point effort since Jan. 7.

"I just have to keep it going,'' he said. "I'm still missing some easy ones I should make.''

A hard worker to begin with, LaVine has put in a lot of extra shots trying to work through the slump. He also watched some film of his shot trying to find flaws. "I wasn't holding my follow-through like I was earlier in the season,'' he said. "I might not have had the same balance. And that might be because you're tired or you get out of whack.''

Because Thursday's loss to the Pacers didn't meet the criteria for a two-minute report, fans won't know what the league thinks of a late non-call, when Indiana player Jeff Teague clearly went out of bounds while dribbling the ball upcourt.

And, after reviewing the tape, Thibodeau wasn't going there. "I prefer not to comment,'' he said. "What do you think? Say what you see.''