Game 76: Timberwolves at Nuggets, 9 pm (TNT)

[winforlose]

Outstanding performance from the team specially after such a poor start. We are ready for the PO battle!

I disagree. Overall it was a terrible performance against a badly banged up Denver. We let them start 21-5 and start the 4th 16-2. We blew a 6 point lead with 1:48 in the first OT. We gave them 44 free throw attempts and let them score 139 points. I am very glad we won, but let’s not pretend the Wolves played well. Sometimes we gotta win ugly, and tonight that was UGLY!

We were so shorthanded that we had to play Josh Minott and Rob Dillingham. Neither of those guys will play in the playoffs in meaningful minutes. Those two actually played well last night.

Yes, we had bad starts in the 1st and 4th quarter, but we also didn't have our lineup to start the 4th (Gobert, Conley, DDV, Naz and Naw) that we usually play and that lineup has been killing it every game. I don't want to play the Nuggets in the playoffs. We don't have an answer Jokic...we have a guys to put on Luka, LBJ and SGA....I'm not saying we shut them down, but we have different guys we can throw at them. I'm not confident we have answers for Jokic. I'm not saying we can't win that series, but I don't want to have to play against him 7 straight games.

Yes, missing Naz and Dante sucks. They are 2 of our 9 man rotation. On the other side Denver was missing Murray and MPJ. You cannot say that we were missing more fire power than Denver. Nor can you say that missing those 2 justifies giving up 139 points on defense, even with a double OT. We are supposed to be the defensive identity Wolves.

[Domejandro]

I’ll be honest, despite my ongoing criticisms of Coach Finch’s late game play-calling, I really don’t understand why he is receiving any heat after an incredibly tough and gutsy win.

There’s a weird dynamic on the forum where any positives throughout the season are continually downplayed. Minnesota came out horribly in both the first and fourth quarters, but bounced back with a lot of grit. It is NBA basketball, teams go on runs; managing to not crumple when punched in the chops shows composure.

[TimberKat]

I disagree. Overall it was a terrible performance against a badly banged up Denver. We let them start 21-5 and start the 4th 16-2. We blew a 6 point lead with 1:48 in the first OT. We gave them 44 free throw attempts and let them score 139 points. I am very glad we won, but let’s not pretend the Wolves played well. Sometimes we gotta win ugly, and tonight that was UGLY!

We were so shorthanded that we had to play Josh Minott and Rob Dillingham. Neither of those guys will play in the playoffs in meaningful minutes. Those two actually played well last night.

Yes, we had bad starts in the 1st and 4th quarter, but we also didn't have our lineup to start the 4th (Gobert, Conley, DDV, Naz and Naw) that we usually play and that lineup has been killing it every game. I don't want to play the Nuggets in the playoffs. We don't have an answer Jokic...we have a guys to put on Luka, LBJ and SGA....I'm not saying we shut them down, but we have different guys we can throw at them. I'm not confident we have answers for Jokic. I'm not saying we can't win that series, but I don't want to have to play against him 7 straight games.

Yes, missing Naz and Dante sucks. They are 2 of our 9 man rotation. On the other side Denver was missing Murray and MPJ. You cannot say that we were missing more fire power than Denver. Nor can you say that missing those 2 justifies giving up 139 points on defense, even with a double OT. We are supposed to be the defensive identity Wolves.

To me this game is basically the same as our home game vs Pacers. I am glad we won but going double OT vs DEN without Murray and Porter is not good when we have our full starting lineup.

This team right now is like last year's Cavs team. Let's see how far we get in the play-in / playoff and see what needs to change. Do we pull a CLE or DAL or something in between in the summer?

[Ethomasp31]

I disagree. Overall it was a terrible performance against a badly banged up Denver. We let them start 21-5 and start the 4th 16-2. We blew a 6 point lead with 1:48 in the first OT. We gave them 44 free throw attempts and let them score 139 points. I am very glad we won, but let’s not pretend the Wolves played well. Sometimes we gotta win ugly, and tonight that was UGLY!

We were so shorthanded that we had to play Josh Minott and Rob Dillingham. Neither of those guys will play in the playoffs in meaningful minutes. Those two actually played well last night.

Yes, we had bad starts in the 1st and 4th quarter, but we also didn't have our lineup to start the 4th (Gobert, Conley, DDV, Naz and Naw) that we usually play and that lineup has been killing it every game. I don't want to play the Nuggets in the playoffs. We don't have an answer Jokic...we have a guys to put on Luka, LBJ and SGA....I'm not saying we shut them down, but we have different guys we can throw at them. I'm not confident we have answers for Jokic. I'm not saying we can't win that series, but I don't want to have to play against him 7 straight games.

Yes, missing Naz and Dante sucks. They are 2 of our 9 man rotation. On the other side Denver was missing Murray and MPJ. You cannot say that we were missing more fire power than Denver. Nor can you say that missing those 2 justifies giving up 139 points on defense, even with a double OT. We are supposed to be the defensive identity Wolves.

It was 112 in regulation...thats not awful considering terrible starts to the game and 4th quarter. Giving up 53 at half and 79 through 3 quarters to Jokic and the Nuggets isn't bad at all.

I understand they were short-handed. i also don't think it is a good matchup for us because Jokic is so good. My other point is that lately at the beginning of the 4th quarters we have been playing Conley, Gobert, Naz, Naw and DDV and they have been killing it.

[Biff Cooper]

I still can't believe that Russell Westbrook missed the layup

[Klomp]

Yes, missing Naz and Dante sucks. They are 2 of our 9 man rotation. On the other side Denver was missing Murray and MPJ. You cannot say that we were missing more fire power than Denver. Nor can you say that missing those 2 justifies giving up 139 points on defense, even with a double OT. We are supposed to be the defensive identity Wolves.

No offense, but you need to get with the times. Denver had 112 points through regulation (league average is 113.8 ppg btw). At that point, Gobert had fouled out and I believe McDaniels had 5 fouls. So of course the defense wouldn't be the same. Having a defensive identity doesn't mean you never have lapses. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap to the opponent and say they were playing well too. Jokic is arguably one of the greatest offensive players of this era, possibly even all-time.

[shrink]

I liked that Finch went to Minott in that situation.

Give hungry young kids a chance to cause some havoc, when an opportunity arises. See if they can inject energy.

[shrink]

I also think differently about the missing players on both sides, and what would happen full strength.

Apparently Jamal Murray has finally recovered from the psychology beat down that NAW and Jaden put on him in the playoffs, that lasted through the Olympics and well into the beginning of the season. But it seems likely this guy will melt down again if we face them in the playoffs. Out players LOVE defending him (smiling NAW), and while he may not be throwing Heat Packs, I got no concerns about him being mentally tough enough to be a factor versus our defense.

Michael Porter Jr was also out, but is he really any better than Naz? He gets starter minutes and has Jokic finding him, but I think Naz helps us more, especially since DEN has nobody on the bench to stop Naz. Plus, Donte has been playing great too - more starter/bench firepower that the Nuggets would struggle with.

No doubt Jokic is the best player in the game, but I don’t fear this team in the playoffs if we’re both at full strength. We make Jokic score their points, but can slow down every other Nugget. DEN usually has a size advantage over opponents, but we can match that. We have defenders for Murray, they have no defenders for Ant.

We were 4-0 against them this season. Bring ‘em on!

[winforlose]

Yes, missing Naz and Dante sucks. They are 2 of our 9 man rotation. On the other side Denver was missing Murray and MPJ. You cannot say that we were missing more fire power than Denver. Nor can you say that missing those 2 justifies giving up 139 points on defense, even with a double OT. We are supposed to be the defensive identity Wolves.

No offense, but you need to get with the times. Denver had 112 points through regulation (league average is 113.8 ppg btw). At that point, Gobert had fouled out and I believe McDaniels had 5 fouls. So of course the defense wouldn't be the same. Having a defensive identity doesn't mean you never have lapses. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap to the opponent and say they were playing well too. Jokic is arguably one of the greatest offensive players of this era, possibly even all-time.

Again no Murray and no MPJ. I will grant you the refs really ****** us and that helped keep Denver alive, but a 16-2 run to start the 4th after a 21-5 run to start the first is simply inexcusable. Our transition defense was bad all night, and we did not play like a top 10 defense. Also 112 in regulation means they scored 27 in 10 minutes of OT. Extrapolate that out to 12 and you get to 34.5 points in a 5th quarter. Yes we should tip our hat to Joker and Gordon for both playing very well, but our poor defense is why this went to OT and then double OT, and almost lost us the game.

[TimberKat]

We need to look at how Ant played in the clutch. I am not focusing on criticize him but rather ask other players to step up with ball handling help. Maybe Finch needs to call better plays. I don't want him to turn into Anthony Simmons - Ben's little brother.

In regulation:
After making two good passes to Gobert, he missed Gobert at least twice.

Missed NAW wide open in the corner for an easy 3 or drive to the basket(35sec left, should had been game over). Instead drive in and committed an offensive foul.

In 1st OT:
Took a step back 3 that was so bad that even the
commentator call it a turn over and bad decision.

A bad turnover pass when we were up 2 with 21 sec remain

In 2nd OT:
Bad pass which was saved by Westbrick's missed layup.

He probably should had taken that last shot but instead kick out to NAW which again saved by Westbrick.

[guest81]

Yes, missing Naz and Dante sucks. They are 2 of our 9 man rotation. On the other side Denver was missing Murray and MPJ. You cannot say that we were missing more fire power than Denver. Nor can you say that missing those 2 justifies giving up 139 points on defense, even with a double OT. We are supposed to be the defensive identity Wolves.

No offense, but you need to get with the times. Denver had 112 points through regulation (league average is 113.8 ppg btw). At that point, Gobert had fouled out and I believe McDaniels had 5 fouls. So of course the defense wouldn't be the same. Having a defensive identity doesn't mean you never have lapses. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap to the opponent and say they were playing well too. Jokic is arguably one of the greatest offensive players of this era, possibly even all-time.

Again no Murray and no MPJ. I will grant you the refs really ****** us and that helped keep Denver alive, but a 16-2 run to start the 4th after a 21-5 run to start the first is simply inexcusable. Our transition defense was bad all night, and we did not play like a top 10 defense. Also 112 in regulation means they scored 27 in 10 minutes of OT. Extrapolate that out to 12 and you get to 34.5 points in a 5th quarter. Yes we should tip our hat to Joker and Gordon for both playing very well, but our poor defense is why this went to OT and then double OT, and almost lost us the game.

I feel like if the wolves win the finals you'll be like, yea but it took them 6 games to do it sooooo

[Klomp]

I liked that Finch went to Minott in that situation.

Give hungry young kids a chance to cause some havoc, when an opportunity arises. See if they can inject energy.

Not saying your right or wrong, but looking back at the highlights, it looks like Minott was the Naz Reid replacement in that game. He first came in to replace Gobert, making a Minott/Randle frontcourt. At the start of the 2nd, Gobert replaced Randle, as usual.

[winforlose]

No offense, but you need to get with the times. Denver had 112 points through regulation (league average is 113.8 ppg btw). At that point, Gobert had fouled out and I believe McDaniels had 5 fouls. So of course the defense wouldn't be the same. Having a defensive identity doesn't mean you never have lapses. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap to the opponent and say they were playing well too. Jokic is arguably one of the greatest offensive players of this era, possibly even all-time.

Again no Murray and no MPJ. I will grant you the refs really ****** us and that helped keep Denver alive, but a 16-2 run to start the 4th after a 21-5 run to start the first is simply inexcusable. Our transition defense was bad all night, and we did not play like a top 10 defense. Also 112 in regulation means they scored 27 in 10 minutes of OT. Extrapolate that out to 12 and you get to 34.5 points in a 5th quarter. Yes we should tip our hat to Joker and Gordon for both playing very well, but our poor defense is why this went to OT and then double OT, and almost lost us the game.

I feel like if the wolves win the finals you'll be like, yea but it took them 6 games to do it sooooo

Lol, if the Wolves get to the finals I will be so happy I will give them a pass on however they play. That said, we are not going to be spotting opponents 37-7 runs in 10 minutes and winning games. I want the Wolves to get used to competing for 48 minutes, because that is what playoff games are.