Game 61: Wolves (32-28) @ Jazz (14-44)

[winforlose]

We know Rudy and Randle are out. We know as of now Ant is suspended due to technical fouls. We know DDV has one game back on a minutes restriction, and we know Mike played only 14 minutes on the last back to back. We also have reason to suspect Jesse Edwards is out with an ankle injury.

If you pretend that Jaden had to miss a game, the starting lineup could easily be Mike/DDV/Ant/Randle/Rudy. If all 5 miss tonight’s game, that is literally a viable starting 5 that will be out. Instead we likely start Dilly/TSJ/Clark/MCD/Naz. Our bench depth is Hyland/NAW/Minott/Miller/Garza and maybe Jingles somewhere in that mix. This is a winnable game, but on the back end of a road/road B2B, I have concerns.

[TimberKat]

We know Rudy and Randle are out. We know as of now Ant is suspended due to technical fouls. We know DDV has one game back on a minutes restriction, and we know Mike played only 14 minutes on the last back to back. We also have reason to suspect Jesse Edwards is out with an ankle injury.

If you pretend that Jaden had to miss a game, the starting lineup could easily be Mike/DDV/Ant/Randle/Rudy. If all 5 miss tonight’s game, that is literally a viable starting 5 that will be out. Instead we likely start Dilly/TSJ/Clark/MCD/Naz. Our bench depth is Hyland/NAW/Minott/Miller/Garza and maybe Jingles somewhere in that mix. This is a winnable game, but on the back end of a road/road B2B, I have concerns.

Are you saying we won't get fall behind 20 pts first then try to mount a combat?

[winforlose]

We know Rudy and Randle are out. We know as of now Ant is suspended due to technical fouls. We know DDV has one game back on a minutes restriction, and we know Mike played only 14 minutes on the last back to back. We also have reason to suspect Jesse Edwards is out with an ankle injury.

If you pretend that Jaden had to miss a game, the starting lineup could easily be Mike/DDV/Ant/Randle/Rudy. If all 5 miss tonight’s game, that is literally a viable starting 5 that will be out. Instead we likely start Dilly/TSJ/Clark/MCD/Naz. Our bench depth is Hyland/NAW/Minott/Miller/Garza and maybe Jingles somewhere in that mix. This is a winnable game, but on the back end of a road/road B2B, I have concerns.

Are you saying we won't get fall behind 20 pts first then try to mount a combat?

I am saying we are missing a ton of talent. I am saying I doubt DDV plays back to back on his 2nd game back, and that Mike probably doesn’t play. If Mike does play it is probably for about 15 minutes. When you are down 5 of your top 8, and 3 of your 4 best offensive players, it puts you in a tricky spot. Especially with tired legs in a back to back.

[BlacJacMac]

We know Rudy and Randle are out. We know as of now Ant is suspended due to technical fouls. We know DDV has one game back on a minutes restriction, and we know Mike played only 14 minutes on the last back to back. We also have reason to suspect Jesse Edwards is out with an ankle injury.

If you pretend that Jaden had to miss a game, the starting lineup could easily be Mike/DDV/Ant/Randle/Rudy. If all 5 miss tonight’s game, that is literally a viable starting 5 that will be out. Instead we likely start Dilly/TSJ/Clark/MCD/Naz. Our bench depth is Hyland/NAW/Minott/Miller/Garza and maybe Jingles somewhere in that mix. This is a winnable game, but on the back end of a road/road B2B, I have concerns.

Are you saying we won't get fall behind 20 pts first then try to mount a combat?

I am saying we are missing a ton of talent. I am saying I doubt DDV plays back to back on his 2nd game back, and that Mike probably doesn’t play. If Mike does play it is probably for about 15 minutes. When you are down 5 of your top 8, and 3 of your 4 best offensive players, it puts you in a tricky spot. Especially with tired legs in a back to back.

Finch, in his postgame, said DDV would play tonight on a "minutes restriction".

DDV talk starts at the 4 minute mark:

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=MinnesotaTimberwolves

[winforlose]

Are you saying we won't get fall behind 20 pts first then try to mount a combat?

I am saying we are missing a ton of talent. I am saying I doubt DDV plays back to back on his 2nd game back, and that Mike probably doesn’t play. If Mike does play it is probably for about 15 minutes. When you are down 5 of your top 8, and 3 of your 4 best offensive players, it puts you in a tricky spot. Especially with tired legs in a back to back.

Finch, in his postgame, said DDV would play tonight on a "minutes restriction".

DDV talk starts at the 4 minute mark:

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=MinnesotaTimberwolves

That’s good info, thank you. I cannot say I love the decision, but without the other guys I get it. I still worry we might drop a very winnable game, but hopefully that does not happen.

[BlacJacMac]

I am saying we are missing a ton of talent. I am saying I doubt DDV plays back to back on his 2nd game back, and that Mike probably doesn’t play. If Mike does play it is probably for about 15 minutes. When you are down 5 of your top 8, and 3 of your 4 best offensive players, it puts you in a tricky spot. Especially with tired legs in a back to back.

Finch, in his postgame, said DDV would play tonight on a "minutes restriction".

DDV talk starts at the 4 minute mark:

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=MinnesotaTimberwolves

That’s good info, thank you. I cannot say I love the decision, but without the other guys I get it. I still worry we might drop a very winnable game, but hopefully that does not happen.

If he's healthy enough to play I love it. It should be a decision based on conditioning, so a 20-25 MPG (or whatever) limit makes sense for a stretch.

If you're worried he's going to get hurt again, he shouldn't be playing yet in the first place.

[winforlose]

Finch, in his postgame, said DDV would play tonight on a "minutes restriction".

DDV talk starts at the 4 minute mark:

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=MinnesotaTimberwolves

That’s good info, thank you. I cannot say I love the decision, but without the other guys I get it. I still worry we might drop a very winnable game, but hopefully that does not happen.

If he's healthy enough to play I love it. It should be a decision based on conditioning, so a 20-25 MPG (or whatever) limit makes sense for a stretch.

If you're worried he's going to get hurt again, he shouldn't be playing yet in the first place.

Most teams don’t run a guy back to back until he has played a few games. The theory being his body is more vulnerable to injury (muscles more tight, recovery process not fully complete, ect…) I am not as worried about his toe as his legs getting injured. But I know they higher trainers and medical staff to look out for the guys, and end of the day we gotta trust that.

[BlacJacMac]

That’s good info, thank you. I cannot say I love the decision, but without the other guys I get it. I still worry we might drop a very winnable game, but hopefully that does not happen.

If he's healthy enough to play I love it. It should be a decision based on conditioning, so a 20-25 MPG (or whatever) limit makes sense for a stretch.

If you're worried he's going to get hurt again, he shouldn't be playing yet in the first place.

Most teams don’t run a guy back to back until he has played a few games. The theory being his body is more vulnerable to injury (muscles more tight, recovery process not fully complete, ect…) I am not as worried about his toe as his legs getting injured. But I know they higher trainers and medical staff to look out for the guys, and end of the day we gotta trust that.

I think that's a newer thing. And more for guys with chronic or frequent injuries. I feel like it really started with Embiid - and Zion has run with that baton.

[winforlose]

If he's healthy enough to play I love it. It should be a decision based on conditioning, so a 20-25 MPG (or whatever) limit makes sense for a stretch.

If you're worried he's going to get hurt again, he shouldn't be playing yet in the first place.

Most teams don’t run a guy back to back until he has played a few games. The theory being his body is more vulnerable to injury (muscles more tight, recovery process not fully complete, ect…) I am not as worried about his toe as his legs getting injured. But I know they higher trainers and medical staff to look out for the guys, and end of the day we gotta trust that.

I think that's a newer thing. And more for guys with chronic or frequent injuries. I feel like it really started with Embiid - and Zion has run with that baton.

You may be right. I don’t know enough about sports medicine to speak intelligently about what is or is not best for Donte. I assumed we might ease him in more, but clearly that is not the case.

[shrink]

Utah has been the most aggressive tanker this year, actively sitting talent one night who seem completely fine.

Missing Ant, Rudy and Randle is a lot, but it’s quite possible we will still have more talent on the floor than the Jazz.

[BlacJacMac]

Utah has been the most aggressive tanker this year, actively sitting talent one night who seem completely fine.

Missing Ant, Rudy and Randle is a lot, but it’s quite possible we will still have more talent on the floor than the Jazz.

Although we're the one team they have incentive to beat.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Have Garza watch the movie "rudy", give him a motivational speech, give him free reign to make as many shots as possible. Easy win.

[TheZachAttack]

I'm hoping Shannon gets the start. I'd love to see Conley-Clarke-Shannon-Jaden-Naz.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

People absent or not, B2B, we have to win this one. Period.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Betting line down to wolves -4. I guess I am just an idiot fan.. biased. Bettors are usually right, and we are 26-32 against spread on the year. We suck.

[Klomp]

How much run does Joe get tonight?

[Calinks]

This game will be awesome. The TSJ game!

[Folklore]

How many times is Finch going to call a TO at the worst moment just for the other team to challenge?

[TimberKat]

Wondering what is the latest stat on defense with and without Gobert. 38 to Jazz without a couple key players is not good

[TimberKat]

What is going on with Dilly's 3 pt shooting? He was great the first month and now can't hit the broad side of a barn (so to speak in Minnesota terms)???