Analytics helped the Timberwolves understand how forward Shabazz Muhammad was dealing with his sore left ankle.

Target Center’s video player tracking technology, STATS’ SportVU, collects footage on the how much players run and tries to measure the energy level they exert.

Muhammad often has an energy value that’s at the top of the charts, but recently it’s dipped in the second half.

“We’ve seen lately where it dropped a little bit, and that’s because his ankle seems to tighten up at halftime a little bit and gets a little tighter when we get into the second half,” coach Flip Saunders said.

The numbers have given Saunders reason to, at times, limit Muhammad’s playing time.

The data can also give Saunders and his staff the ability to provide evidence to a view that might have been thought of as subjective in the past. If a player is believed to not be giving enough effort, numbers can back it up.

“You can bring them in and say here’s where you are compared to other players at your position,” Saunders said.

Beyond new-age numbers, the Wolves have had Muhammad use the ancient Chinese therapy of acupuncture.

And Muhammad says it hurts so good. He gauged his pain tolerance as medium, yet he’s subjected himself to four treatments of tiny needles poking his calves to help the ankle.

“Nobody else does the acupuncture,” Muhammad said. “Everyone else did it one time and said, ‘I can’t take it anymore.’ It’s making me feel good, and I’m trying to get out there and play and help our team win.”

Briefly

Mo Williams (back spasm) missed his fifth-straight game Friday. Saunders said it really hasn’t improved much, either.

Follow Andy Greder at twitter.com/twolvesnow