SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – Reiterating he wants his team to run through the finish line here near season’s end rather than just to it, Timberwolves interim coach Sam Mitchell led his players through a 90-minute morning shootaround — probably the longest of the season — before Thursday’s 105-97 victory at Sacramento.
Never mind that much of their work detailed how to defend Kings star center DeMarcus Cousins, who less than an hour later was scratched along with starting point guard Rajon Rondo from the night’s lineup.
Instead, Mitchell impressed upon his players that they put Tuesday’s emotional overtime victory at Golden State behind them and focus on something far less glamorous than a TNT game against the NBA’s defending champions and best team.