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1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 4:11 pm
by closg00
Timberwolves-Wizards Preview
By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Jan 07 2012 4:04PM
The Minnesota Timberwolves have fared well against some of the better teams in the league, but that hasn't been the case when facing clubs that won't be contending for the championship.
That could be good news for the winless Washington Wizards.
The Timberwolves will try to avoid a third consecutive loss Sunday when the lowly Wizards go for their eighth straight home win in this series.
Since snapping a nine-game home losing streak to Dallas and defeating San Antonio for the first time in 17 tries, Minnesota (2-5) has lost to Memphis - which was without injured forward Zach Randolph - and Cleveland.
The Timberwolves, who challenged Miami and Oklahoma City last month before losing by a combined six points, also fell 98-95 to struggling Milwaukee on Dec. 27.
"We can't just come to play against the NBA championship contenders," rookie forward Derrick Williams said Friday after scoring 12 points in a 98-87 home loss to the Cavs. "We've got to come to play against everybody we play."
Michael Beasley sprained his right foot late in Friday's contest and is expected to miss this stretch of three games in three days, meaning Williams will likely see plenty of action.
Wizards big men Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee will have enough to worry about with Kevin Love. The fourth-year forward is averaging 26.1 points and 14.9 rebounds with a league-high seven double-doubles.
Love averaged 27.5 points and 16.0 boards as these teams split two meetings in 2010-11 for the second straight season. He had 20 points and 21 rebounds in a 103-96 loss at the Verizon Center on March 5.
Minnesota, which has played a league-low one road game, has not won in the nation's capital since Dec. 12, 2003.
Washington (0-7), though, is the only NBA team still searching for its first win - in fact, every other club has at least two victories. The Wizards' worst-ever start continued Friday with a 99-96 home loss to the New York Knicks.
There was some improvement, however, as Washington enjoyed an uncharacteristically quick start, leading 32-18 after 12 minutes. It was the highest-scoring quarter of the season for the Wizards, who had been outscored by nine or more in the first period of four of their previous five games.
"We played hard. We played with good energy," said coach Flip Saunders, the former Timberwolves coach.
Forwards Chris Singleton and Trevor Booker have been particularly strong off the Wizards' bench over the last two games, combining for 35 points and 24 rebounds.
Washington guards Nick Young (24 points) and John Wall (22) both had their best offensive performances of the season Friday, shooting a combined 19 for 42.
Wall paced the Wizards with 32 points, 18 assists and 15 boards versus Minnesota in 2010-11 as Young missed the home win with the flu.
Luke Ridnour has started each game at point guard for the Timberwolves, but Ricky Rubio is among the league leaders with 27.7 minutes per game off the bench. The Spanish rookie is scoring 9.4 points per game with a team-high 6.7 assists.
Minnesota's other point guard, J.J. Barea, is questionable after missing the last three games with a strained right hamstring.
Washington's last eight-game skid was Jan. 24-Feb. 5.
Re: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 4:12 pm
by closg00
Sad, two hours til tip-off and no game thread, I guess everyone is at church praying for the Wizards.
Re: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 4:31 pm
by dlts20
I was actually just getting ready to post one. I just posted one on another board. I think you should put the time in the title because Im not sure everyone knows.
Beasley is out 3 game but he has sucked this year anyways. If we cant beat this team or the Raps then we have a big problem. Weve played well in spurts but havent put together 4 quarters yet. We usually suck in day games though so IDK. On the other hand, that was with our vet teams. Maybe we can play better with younger guys since its close to a College game but the Wolves are young too.
Flip talked alot yesterday about holding young guys accountable and how he's not going to let them play through things anymore. If they play bad then he's not going to give them the young guy excuse anymore. That seems a lil strange to me since most came out of that game feeling like it was the major vet in Shard espically and then the minor vet in Dray who held us back from the win.
Ofcourse I disagree with the Dray thing. He had like 15 & 6 in 28min with 2 blocks on 7-11 from the floor. How can people be upset with him for that game? I still dont get it. Everyone loves Booker now but Ive been on the Booker train and thats why I didnt want them to add anyone down there. I want him to get more minutes.
My thing with the rotations have never changed. Downlow I keep saying that Flip should have a 3 man rotation with Dray, McGee, & Booker. Dont bench Book and dont play other guys. Give McGee & Dray like 35 and Book like 26 or something like that. Start Singelton at the 3 and start to phase Shard out. I wouldnt play him right now.
Mack & Mason provide some things but JC is still the most talented. He just has to find his role. Like the frontcourt, I would make the backcourt a 3 man rotation with Wall, NY, & JC. At the 3 I would start Singelton, play Ves as the backup, and then give NY a few minuter there each game while going small at times with Wall-JC-NY in at the same time.
Thats it for me. 8 man rotation. Every once in ahwile you can add other guys but for the most part it should be these 8 getting alot of consistent minutes. Ive always been a short rotation guy and Flip was supposed to be the same but he hasnt been and when he has, he's played the wrong guys. I loved Book last year. No one should be ahead of him besides Dray & McGee. Just play those 3.
Williams will probably start for Beasley. I would love to see him vs Singelton at the start but I doubt we see that from Flip. Last but not least we have Wall vs Rubio. Alot of Wiz fans have been saying that we shouldve picked Rubio but I dont see it. He doesnt look on Wall's level at all to me. Wall's play has been more of a team thing to me. Once we all find our rythm & roles then he will dominate. Also hoping to see Love inspire Dray & McGee to try to own the glass
Re: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 4:40 pm
by closg00
dlts20, if u want to make a game thread, go for-it, you will do it justice.
Re: 1PM: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 4:54 pm
by sfam
FREE VESELY!!!!!!!
Re: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 4:56 pm
by dlts20
closg00 wrote:dlts20, if u want to make a game thread, go for-it, you will do it justice.
Nah, its probably too late for that and I already lost twice with the fancy stuff.
Im just happy that this will be the 1st game I can fully watch. I was out of town during the Preseason and all the regular season game until the Knicks game. I thought I was going to see that one fully but something came up. This will be my 1st one so maybe you bring some good luck with the thread and Ill bring some good luck by watching us.........lol
Re: 1PM: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 5:01 pm
by MJG
I didn't know the game was an early one, so good for the thread for popping up. Should be a fun one, if we can keep the measurable level of effort we had going in the last game. Though it does sour the mood a bit when you realize you're jealous of the roster the Timberwolves of all teams have put together.
Re: 1PM: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 5:10 pm
by nate33
Game time is 1PM
Re: 1PM: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 5:51 pm
by dlts20
Twolves_PR Timberwolves PR
#Twolves to start Wes Johnson at the 3 and wayne ellington at the 2. Jj barea doubtful to play
Re: 1PM: Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:00 pm
by GhostsOfGil
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:02 pm
by Wizards2Lottery
Chris Singleton is starting. There is justice in the universe.
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:03 pm
by GhostsOfGil
Wizards2Lottery wrote:Chris Singleton is starting. There is justice in the universe.
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:05 pm
by 7-Day Dray
Wizards2Lottery wrote:Chris Singleton is starting. There is justice in the universe.
But only because Rashard is out with an injury.
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:05 pm
by DaRealHibachi
Wizards2Lottery wrote:Chris Singleton is starting. There is justice in the universe.
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:06 pm
by Wizards2Lottery
7-Day Dray wrote:Wizards2Lottery wrote:Chris Singleton is starting. There is justice in the universe.
But only because Rashard is out with an injury.
The injury is called 'gotpaiditis'
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:07 pm
by sfam
If Singleton does a good job today hopefully we'll be looking at Lewis in our rearview mirror.
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:09 pm
by GhostsOfGil
MrMichaelLee Michael Lee
Is it a problem if Andray Blatche found out an hour before tip-off that Kevin Love is shooting 42% from 3-point range? #wizards
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:10 pm
by 7-Day Dray
zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:MrMichaelLee Michael Lee
Is it a problem if Andray Blatche found out an hour before tip-off that Kevin Love is shooting 42% from 3-point range? #wizards
KLove for 40?
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:10 pm
by dlts20
This is what we all wanted and its probably a good game for it because the Wolves are starting Johnson at the 3 and IDK if Shard wouldve been comfortable covering him on the 3 all game. Singelton's only problem is that he doesnt stay on his feet all the time. Dont go for the pump and he will be fine on D. On O I hope he just hits the open J and doesnt get a big head & start gunning all the time. I think Lewis wont start again this year. JV also will probably play today
Re: 1PM, Rubio VS Wall (Wolves - Wiz Game Thread)
Posted: Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:11 pm
by closg00
7-Day Dray wrote:Wizards2Lottery wrote:Chris Singleton is starting. There is justice in the universe.
But only because Rashard is out with an injury.
I knew is was too-good to be true, just like Seraphin is getting minutes only because Turf is out