From Phil Miller/Pioneer Press:
Yes, their 4-2 record since Christmas probably has something to do with the quality of opposition, but so was their 0-7 start under coach Kevin McHale, when the schedule handed them six playoff qualifiers. And McHale, now a month into his unexpected assignment as Wolves coach, believes the improvement is real.
“It’s starting to come together. We’ve turned some corners,” he said. “I’d much rather play good and lose than play bad and win, because if you play bad, you’re going to lose a lot of games.”
They already have done that, and their 8-25 record is nothing to be proud of. But Minnesota has discovered a few necessary ingredients toward winning these past few games.
The Wolves lost 23 of their first 27 games and now have won four of their past six, a resurgence that would have been one victory better had they preserved a 29-point lead at Dallas six days ago.
Gomes has followed a five-game stretch in which he averaged 5.4 points a game by averaging 16.4 points on 53.2 percent shooting in his past five games. In his past three, he has scored 21 points once and 19 twice.
The Wolves’ improved play probably can be attributed to a better understanding of how new coach Kevin McHale wants them to play as well as a gentler schedule.
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