What did the Timberwolves do with weekend practices and no set opponent?

The Timberwolves had two practice days over the weekend to prepare for their second-round playoff series with no opponent for which to prepare because the matchup won t be determined until late Sunday after Houston and Golden State play their Contest Regardless Meeting of the Western Conference semifinal series is Tuesday Yeah it s weird Wolves forward Julius Randle stated of the time spent in limbo It s definitely weird for sure Julius Randle of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter in Meeting Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto com Arena on April in Los Angeles California Photo by Harry How Getty Images And perhaps not as productive Minnesota s super power as a group over the past couple of years has been using playoff prep time to prepare for an upcoming opponent With a week off to scout and get ready Minnesota swept Phoenix won Games and against Denver and then blitzed the Lakers in Event of this year s first-round matchup Timberwolves coach Chris Finch credited the scouting work his staff does and the group s ability to create and convey tournament plans to players That extends beyond team-wide practices I think chosen of the work that you do individually with your players in athlete progress is just as essential going through what Ant s going to see going through what Julius is going to see the reads that they re going to have to make Finch commented I think that s really pivotal Our staff has done an amazing job in the time that I ve been here in preparing our guys for those moments But not knowing an opponent means you don t necessarily know what things for which you ll have to prepare and be ready Finch commented the practice plans over the weekend required thought You requested to be targeted in your approach he reported We looked at the commonalities between both teams highlighted those and tried to work on those Just specific other things that we haven t been able to work on in a little bit It s been good In terms of self assessment Wolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker noted how a great number of open shots Minnesota missed on the perimeter particularly in Encounter against Los Angeles He noted this weekend provided a chance for Minnesota to further familiarize itself with such shots anticipating similar looks will arise down the road as teams resort to the same schemes the Lakers utilized in an attempt to slow Anthony Edwards Rudy Gobert mentioned emphasizing offensive and defensive transition as well as rebounding is invariably key for Minnesota to be the organization it wants to be Finch also noted it s perpetually an advantage to be the rested band coming into a series Regardless of who wins Sunday that unit will have fewer than hours between the end of Meeting and the start of Event And the rounds tend to only get more physical and draining from here So Minnesota understands the importance of using this time as a mental and physical reset I think you have to have time away from it Finch stated Put the work in prepare accordingly but I think there s times you have to step away from it and a lot of times that frees up your mind for fresh ideas or a fresh approach From a performer s perspective that means putting an equal amount of emphasis on rest Obviously we re excited we re ready to play But whoever we play we ll be ready for Randle disclosed The coaches will have us prepared But in the meantime try to recover as much as you can get in the weight room get your body prepared or just try to stay prepared and focused As Gobert put it Prepare our bodies and our minds Related Articles How Anthony Edwards cracked the NBA s codes I think he s a genius Julius Randle looks like the Timberwolves perfect Robin For Wolves to win it all Rudy Gobert must be the Kingslayer s dragon The Timberwolves open the second round Tuesday But where And against who Five reasons the Timberwolves beat the Lakers in five games