The Timberwolves emphasized defensive tenacity throughout the first week of training camp. The whistle was blown by coaches when on-ball pressure wasn’t cranked up to the necessary degree in practices described as “intense.”

The goal of it all is to return Minnesota’s defensive nastiness to something resembling where it was two seasons ago, when the Wolves were the NBA’s best on that end of the floor by a wide margin.

And yet, when the rubber met the road in Minnesota’s home preseason bout Tuesday against the Pacers, the Wolves were horrendous on that end out of the gates. Indiana scored 37 points in the opening frame, while shooting 65% from the field and 63% from distance while getting whatever it wanted, whenever it wanted.

“That’s inexcusable,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch admitte

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