GAME THREAD: Twolves @ Portland

[_AIJ_]

TO-REB-FT%...Another game thrown away that we could have won. However, my friends, I'm starting to have serious doubts about Finch. Already during the PO against MEM it showed very large gaps. Sometimes I really struggle to understand some choices from a professional trainer...Hope I am wrong...but I have seen the entire game with SkyItaly and I really really didn't appreciate him..

Hes been one of the many reasons why we suck and i doubt he knows it

[moss_is_1]

After watching so much World Cup, it reminds me how the NBA realized flopping was hurting the game, and they were going to penalize it.

That flop from Jerami Grant, down six with 45 seconds, was critical. And even when Finch challenged and they reviewed it, the refs still stuck with it as an offensive foul/TO on Gobert.

Grant clearly flopped, and tried to deceive the refs. If the Wolves got their one free throw and made a three, it’s a 2 point game. Instead, it was a turnover and the Blazers were able to run 25 seconds off the clock, up six.

Yeah the flopping is making the NBA nearly unwatchable anymore. They need to do something, take the college rules and really penalize people for flopping. Give them a technical foul.

[minimus]

Exactly, can't forget they ruined Ant's dunk against MIA

[fattymcgee]

Ant had 26 points after 3 quarters, then only 1 shot in the 4th. Why is no one talking about that?

[lewdog]

Ant had 26 points after 3 quarters, then only 1 shot in the 4th. Why is no one talking about that?

I believe it's because he passed up longer shots for much closer quality dimes to his teammates. Look it up.

[fattymcgee]

Ant had 26 points after 3 quarters, then only 1 shot in the 4th. Why is no one talking about that?

I believe it's because he passed up longer shots for much closer quality dimes to his teammates. Look it up.

I'm all for him passing the ball for better shots, but he needs the ball in his hands more to create or score. If this team wants to go far it's up to Ant to do it, no one else on this team can. They need to give him the reins and live with the results. He'll make mistakes but that's how he's going to learn what to do in student situations. We're just delaying his progress (and the team's).

[younggunsmn]

Man, I'm really disappointed in Finch for that timeout, I legitimately think that he just threw away the game.

I just don't understand it at all, even if they don't have numbers, Minnesota has momentum on that play. You don't HAVE to use the "use it or lose it" timeout. Game losing decision, pretty shameful.

Agree that was bad. I think Finch had made the decision to use it and then couldnt stop himself from pulling the trigger.
Momentum killer just like that idiotic video review to change the FT shooter.

[younggunsmn]

Ant had 26 points after 3 quarters, then only 1 shot in the 4th. Why is no one talking about that?

I believe it's because he passed up longer shots for much closer quality dimes to his teammates. Look it up.

I'm all for him passing the ball for better shots, but he needs the ball in his hands more to create or score. If this team wants to go far it's up to Ant to do it, no one else on this team can. They need to give him the reins and live with the results. He'll make mistakes but that's how he's going to learn what to do in student situations. We're just delaying his progress (and the team's).

Way too many possessions in the 4th without Ant touching the ball for my liking.
But he needs to not rely so much on ball-pounding and a stepback too and he's made strides on that lately.

We also had too many possessions where we passed up a good shot to make a pass for a perfect shot and ended up with a turnover and an empty possession, usually on lob attempts to Rudy.

Have to hand it to Portland on making some tough clutch shots late, but our shot contest also wasn't at the level it was the first 2 quarters, big minutes for our starters on the back half of a back-to-back probably didnt help there.
You aren't going to win many close games where the other team shoots 70% in the 4th quarter.

Nice to see Russell with some hot shooting and the much better overall play continue.
Would like to see a better option than Rivers out there he has very little to offer offensively.