Warriors vs Timberwolves - Game 2

[Onus]

Focus on defense keep them under 100 points and we might have a chance. Goal is to win 1 of the next 3. Even better to go up 2-0 in series. Let's go!

[Chupchup]

Podz/Moody/Kuminga... please please bring some offense otherwise we might be toast LOL

[cpower]

we win if they score less than 90.

[EvanZ]

I feel like the pressure is off. Of us fans. And that is truly what is important.

[Impuniti]

I'm calling this a scheduled loss by double digits. I am happy to be wrong in any way. Key is for game 3 and 4, but anything that can happen as a positive here would be great!

I think if they're not down by double digits in the first quarter, there might be a legit shot Warriors can sneak into a win. The pressure would be massive if the game is close.

[HiRez]

We know Minnesota is going to come out on fire after they got embarrassed at home in game 1. So somehow the Warriors need to exceed that intensity, especially on the defensive end. You know Edwards is going to be super aggressive, I expect to see him at the foul line a lot. Draymond in particular can't afford to pick up any dumb/unnecessary fouls.

All the usual stuff applies though: don't stop playing defense, take care of the ball, don't go for the super-high-risk passes, stop blowing layups, and if you have a good open shot, take it. They did a lot of good things in game 1 but they need to clean some things up. In particular, they had a bunch of shot clock violations, many where they passed up shots and ran out of time. Better to get off an "ok" shot than none at all. Jimmy in particular, I mean dude, a 10-12 foot jumper for you is way better right now than a 3 from any of our sketchy shooters, excepting maybe Hield. If it's there for you, take it.

Also need better communication, there was one play where Kuminga got screened by Draymond's man, and while JK was trying to fight over the top of the screen, Draymond followed JK's man while Draymond's guy slipped to the hoop for a layup. That could have been solved by communicating the switch, or, just not trying to go over the top of the screen in the first place, go under or switch early before you're hung out to dry too high up. Sure, it's probably JK's fault, but Draymond needs to be more proactive there and help him out, knowing JK's not the defensive savant like he is.

Anyway, Go Dubs. It's not a must-win game but they need to treat it like one.

[xdrta+]

Who can resist 11.5 points? Not me. Counting on one more horrible shooting game from Minny.

[Old_Blue]

Moneyline: Warriors +400 CHECK, Spread: Warriors +10.5 CHECK, Points Total: Under 201.5 CHECK. We're good to go.

[Twinkie defense]

Now is the time to crush the Wolves' spirit.

[DB23]

I'm calling this a scheduled loss by double digits. I am happy to be wrong in any way. Key is for game 3 and 4, but anything that can happen as a positive here would be great!

I think if they're not down by double digits in the first quarter, there might be a legit shot Warriors can sneak into a win. The pressure would be massive if the game is close.

You’re probably right but if we are serious about winning this series and potentially without Steph then we need to wear them down, increase the physicality and muck it up like the rockets series. I don’t think we should give them anything easy.

No clue who starts and how big the rotation is but I guess the next three games is mainly about how we get to 100-110 points without Steph. The defense should hold up.

[HiRez]

Now is the time to crush the Wolves' spirit.

Yeah, that's why I say even though it's not a must win game, they need to go for it like it is. It would be a soul-crushing, devastating loss for them to lose 2 games on their home floor (not including with Steph not playing), and go down 0-2. A game 2 victory turns the series outlook for the Dubs from "extreme longshot" to "in the driver's seat", you can't understate the importance. That being said, I don't expect them to win tonight, it's going to be tough, but you never know. We'll see if Kerr has some new wrinkles to throw at them to keep them off balance. Best time to get to them is before they settle in and get comfortable.

[AirP.]

I hope Butler's past that 1st round injury that's been limiting his movement. Earlier in the season he said they need to protect Curry at all times and the current way to do that is win some games so he can take more time off to let the injury heal.

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[AirP.]

Tonight will be Golden State's 10th playoff intensity type game (play-ins and playoff games) in 22 days.

[HiRez]

Tonight will be Golden State's 10th playoff intensity type game (play-ins and playoff games) in 22 days.

Which can be both an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you look at it. If the Warriors are to succeed, they have to make it an advantage. In game 1 I believe it was, as the intensity of the Rockets series rubbed off on the Warriors and I believe it surprised the Wolves, who were a little too comfortable after easily dispatching the Lakers. The Wolves I saw in game 1 looked like a regular season team to me, displaying little urgency. They'll be better in game 2 and the Warriors need to counter with even more urgency and focus.

There's a decent chance this is a 40-point Wolves blowout, but if the Warriors can junk it up enough, play 48 minutes of high-level defense, and throw a few unexpected things at the Wolves (like a Post who is taking and hitting shots, or a Moody/Kuminga who is back-cutting for dunks), they have a chance to eke out a narrow victory.

[Old_Blue]

Tonight will be Golden State's 10th playoff intensity type game (play-ins and playoff games) in 22 days.

A lack of intensity is only an issue for those who refuse to commit to MORE INTENSITY!

[powerball1373]

I hope Butler's past that 1st round injury that's been limiting his movement. Earlier in the season he said they need to protect Curry at all times and the current way to do that is win some games so he can take more time off to let the injury heal.

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I hope that "practice" was more of a photo op, bc I'd rather have Jimmy resting. At this point, what can he figure out in a practice that he doesn't already know lol.

[AirP.]

So are we going to see Podz, Buddy, Moody, Butler and Draymond as the 5 starters tonight? It's somewhat important to not make Butler work so hard on the defensive end and that's where Moody may come in.

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[HiRez]

Just the fact that Curry is standing up and moving around a little bit, instead of sitting in a chair with an ice pack attached to his leg or something, is a great sign.

[AirP.]

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[statsman]

Moody may not be starting, but he needs the practice (he's 0 for his last 11 shots). Even if he isn't starting, he may have been told he'll be early off the bench and expected to score.