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Chris Finch Praises Donte DiVincenzo's Effort in Adversity After Win vs. Kings cover image

The Minnesota Timberwolves head coach liked what he saw from his guard in the Sunday night win.

Courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves won their second straight game with a 117-103 win over the Sacramento Kings Sunday night and it was carried on the back of some stand out performances. 

With Anthony Edwards out, Julius Randle led the way for Minnesota with a game-leading 24 points, followed closely behind by Jaden McDaniels, who has been emerging as a serious offensive threat this season and scored 21 points, also more than any Kings scored in the game.

But the third-highest point scorer may have been the most crucial. Donte DiVincenzo scored 18 points in the game while fighting through some serious coverage the whole time.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte Divincenzo (0) celebrates making a three-point shot against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesMinnesota Timberwolves guard Donte Divincenzo (0) celebrates making a three-point shot against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

DiVincezo's points have a tendency to fluctuate, but he's been on a role lately, scoring double digits in eight of his last 10 games. While he was fighting for his life through diligent Sacramento defense, DiVincenzo was thriving. When Minnesota head coach Chris Finch was asked about his guard's ability to thrive in chaos, he had a a lot to say.

Thriving in Chaos

"He creates a lot of chaos, too. It's the way he plays. I think that kind of suits him. Just hitting big shots for us in these games. He's got that mentality. He's unfazed by anything no matter what," Finch said (via Timberwolves). "He can miss shots all game long and the next one looks the same. No hesitation to let it fly. He's got incredible belief, as you need to have when you shoot the ball like that."

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte Divincenzo (0) dribbles the ball as Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) plays defense in the first half at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesMinnesota Timberwolves guard Donte Divincenzo (0) dribbles the ball as Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) plays defense in the first half at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

DiVincenzo's tenacity in his shooting shows up in his efficiency. He shot 7-18 and just 3-9 from the field, but the sheer number of attempts he's able to get up is telling in it's own right. He clearly wasn't bothered by the misses he suffered throughout the game and instead kept up the pressure long enough to exhaust his opponents and turn in a solid offensive effort. 

Playing in Adversity

DiVincenzo's defining trait in Finch's eyes is his relentlessness, even when he's facing the full attention of opposing offenses. Sometimes the trials that he's put through through by the opposing team even benefit him overall, forcing him to get out of his own way and hunt for different kinds of shots when his typical play style isn't working for him.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and guard Donte Divincenzo (0) shake hands after a basket against the Sacramento Kings at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesMinnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and guard Donte Divincenzo (0) shake hands after a basket against the Sacramento Kings at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

"I thought today, they were hard closing him out, he drove by... That's when he's at his best, too. Sometimes, when he's struggling, he will just hunt only threes. But, he's been great."

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