It’s time to remind the Timberwolves fans that they are just victims of a trend. Their OT loss to the Pacers means they’re the second team this week to lose to Indiana in the dying moments of the game after the Bucks. But of all their losses, this one would’ve hurt the most. They were on a stellar 8-game winning streak, primed to make it into the playoffs spots. This was their opportunity to overtake the Warriors after their 8-game win streak got snapped in half. But Donte DiVincenzo and Co. dropped the ball.

He was adamant about the back-to-backs not being the sole cause. “I mean even that’s no excuse. I think they were just you know on it more they have more energy you know physically they were more mentally locked in and back to back whatever it is there’s no excuse guys out we know what. You know, where we lost this game in the first half. So we have to correct it and get ready because every, you know, every game matters. You guys were up five at very points in the fourth, three here and there,” said DiVincenzo in the post-game sound.

Despite having a burst of energy with Anthony Edwards and Donte himself shining due to their play style, they got beat on this front. “They like to play fast one way. when there’s opportunities, they’re running right back at them. Take those opportunities at the same time as once you get the lead, pick apart the defense, get what we want. And we miss some open looks, but it seemed like that, that’s just pushing the transition to focus.” The Big Ragu contributed to 19 points and 3 boards while shooting 45.5% from the 3-point line.

Everyone has it tough at the NBA. All 30 teams play 82 regular season games with a plethora of back-to-backs. Some teams like the Rockets and Cavs capitalize on it by winning games like it’s no one’s business. But after he dismissed the rigid schedule as a possible cause, he talked about their slow starts being the true head scratcher.

“Got to get off to a better start” says Donte DiVincenzo

Wolves were neck-and-neck with the Pacers in the first quarter with 30 points a piece at the buzzer. But they were 14 points down by the time they recorded their first of the second quarter, which DiVincenzo thought was the losing point of the game.

“They just played harder. They came out and competed. They had a lot of guys out, so they played with a chip on their shoulder and we didn’t start the game. We started playing when we were down 18 or something like that. So we just got to get off to a better start,” said Donte in the post-game press.

Minnesota ended up going down 15 points by the time they started the second half. They did overturn the deficit, with Ant going ballistic and making sure they were tied at 117-117 going into OT. They were even 2 points up with 27.6 seconds to spare. But the Wolves are now going into the Pelicans game on Wednesday with an 8-2 record instead of a 9-1.

Donte DiVincenzo might’ve nailed his analysis. The defense can ill-afford to rely heavily on the attack due to early complacency. It’ll be up to Chris Finch to take this into account heading into the backend of the season.