Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch addressed the team’s 113-108 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena.
“We missed a couple layups early in the quarter, turnovers in the middle of the quarter and then missed wide open threes later in the quarter when we had a game chance to tighten it up a little bit,” Finch said, highlighting the fourth-quarter offensive difficulties.
Finch praised Naz Reid’s defensive effort, noting, “I thought he was really good defensively and active on the glass. I don’t know what he finished with rebounding wise, but he had six defensive rebounds tonight.” He added that Reid’s activity could translate into offensive contributions: “I think he focuses less on the ball that didn’t go in and just makes the next play.”
The Timberwolves have struggled offensively without Anthony Edwards, who was out due to a knee injury and illness. Finch acknowledged the team’s missed opportunities: “We’ve missed some really good looks, too. We got to make those looks. I mean, we got shooters, you know, 0 for six, one for seven. This is kind of every night when we’re facing these numbers.”
Finch also discussed his confidence in Terrence Shannon Jr.’s role, stating, “I still believe in him as a player…he’s a guy who can punch a gap for us and get downhill. Coming down the stretch, we talked about how everyone’s role was going to be situational and I thought this was more of a game for him.”
Defensively, the Timberwolves struggled to contain Detroit in the paint. “We were probably chasing a little bit too much, separated off the pick and roller after the action,” Finch explained. “Rudy needed to step up and take a better angle and swallow up the rim. They kept finishing around us and then we didn’t break off and they would get the dump-off… they doubled it up in the second half.”
Finch confirmed that Anthony Edwards’ absence was due to illness rather than his knee. The Timberwolves now prepare to visit Philadelphia on Friday, aiming to rebound after their narrow loss. Finch emphasized the need for execution, noting, “Some of it just…we got to make shots. We miss a wide open shot in front of our bench…sometimes that’s how it goes.”
Minnesota fell to 46-30 on the season while Detroit, led by Daniss Jenkins’ 26 points and Jalen Duren’s 22 points with 14 rebounds, improved to 56-21. The Pistons executed an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter, taking control despite missing Cade Cunningham.