The Wolves took a risk when they traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. They took a risk by splitting a team that was in the Western Conference finals for the sake of long-term roster flexibility. After eleven games, the downside of that risk becomes clear. The Wolves are not the same team they were a year ago, especially defensively. That much is plain to see after Portland shot 51% overall and 56% from three-point range (18-for-32).

“Just indecisive about our reporting,” Edwards said. “As for breaking things down. That is our responsibility, the guards.”

For those urging Finch to change his eight-man rotation, he offered this when asked about giving other players playing time: “Listen, we’re trying to get another guy in the rotation. “Guys aren’t playing well enough, so it creates opportunities for that to happen.”

Finch can start making some changes at Moda Center on Wednesday as the Wolves and Blazers play for the third time in four games. Dealing with fan disappointment is nothing new for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and he said Wolves would not overreact to two games, whatever fans may think of that attitude.

“That’s just the world,” Alexander-Walker said. “That’s just the world, especially as an athlete you get used to it. You play very well: ‘Oh my God, we love you, don’t leave.’ God forbid their parlay doesn’t hit: “Why are you on the court?” … It’s life.