2024 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals: #3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 3-1)

[bucknut]

Crazy thing about Kat is I don't think he played bad outside of bad shooting....he drove the paint multiple times hard.

Imo...Timberwolves finally took away the lob. Kyrie Luka made difficult shots they haven't made all postseason.

Timberwolves have a great shot. Until Kyrie and Luka decide it's time to end it. 6 games imo

[AbeVigodaLive]

PHX 4 games
19.3 PPG 9.5 RPG 2.5 APG 0.5 SPG 1.0 BPG
53.1% on 12.3 FGA
52.9% on 4.3 3PA
88.9% on 4.5 FTA

DEN 6 games
18.6 PPG 9.1 RPG 3.0 APG 0.9 SPG 0.4 BPG
51.0% on 13.7 FGA
39.4% on 4.7 3PA
79.2% on 3.4 FTA

DAL 3 games
15.0 PPG 8.3 RPG 2.7 APG 1.0 SPG 0.0 BPG
27.8% on 18.0 FGA
13.6% on 7.3 3PA
85.7% on 4.7 FTA

KAT was great the first two rounds. Versus DAL he has been a complete disaster. He better show up for game 4

What's even crazier...

Towns is known as an (1) uber-efficient shooter (2) who fouls more than anybody else in basketball and (3) turns it over a lot (partly from all those offensive fouls).

Towns is shooting 28/13 from the field... but has only 1 TO and only 6 fouls in three games. Bizarro Towns right now.

[Texas Chuck]

only 6 fouls in three games. Bizarro Towns right now.

He'd better lol. This scheme has Towns having almost no defensive impact. I would have thought by now they would have him dropping back to cut off the lob and make Jones and Washington and Green make corner 3's, but Finch has stayed with his plan. It leaves Town just standing around off ball on defense a ton. Hard to argue too much with Finch's strategy despite the losses, but it definitely is letting the "smaller" Mavs more than stand up against a team that supposedly had too much size for them.

This is what is maddening for me about Towns. He's not expending much energy defensively at all so he should have legs for his shot--especially since he's basically a set shot guy anyway.

But of course Naz Reid sees Dallas and is like cool watch me just set 7 balls gently in the net from 25 feet like its nothing. That guy just eats Dallas up. You'd think by now Dallas would have an anyone but him (or Conley) policy, but they keep giving him good looks and he keeps punishing them.

[MassimoPayne]

Kleber will play tonight.
Kyrie wants to remain unbeaten in close out games
Mavs in 4

[Domejandro]

I have a horrible feeling Minnesota will get the next 2

That's not horrible at all!

My gut feeling as well is if we get one, we'll get two...

If we prove that we can win two in a row against this team, then why can't we do it again?

Honestly, it feels kind of fun knowing that the team is clearly cooked. Pretty much only a chance to make history, the whole disappointment angle has been thoroughly experienced.

[Domejandro]

only 6 fouls in three games. Bizarro Towns right now.

He'd better lol. This scheme has Towns having almost no defensive impact. I would have thought by now they would have him dropping back to cut off the lob and make Jones and Washington and Green make corner 3's, but Finch has stayed with his plan. It leaves Town just standing around off ball on defense a ton. Hard to argue too much with Finch's strategy despite the losses, but it definitely is letting the "smaller" Mavs more than stand up against a team that supposedly had too much size for them.

This is what is maddening for me about Towns. He's not expending much energy defensively at all so he should have legs for his shot--especially since he's basically a set shot guy anyway.

But of course Naz Reid sees Dallas and is like cool watch me just set 7 balls gently in the net from 25 feet like its nothing. That guy just eats Dallas up. You'd think by now Dallas would have an anyone but him (or Conley) policy, but they keep giving him good looks and he keeps punishing them.

For what it is worth, Towns actually got benched last game for not helping the helper (Rudy Gobert). Karl-Anthony Towns is legitimately an elite on-ball defensive player who can dynamically switch onto guards, but he can't play the Rudy Gobert role of drop coverage and roaming at all. It's super bizarre how he is legitimately one of the best defensive players in the entire NBA in a couple schemes (blitz, switching, man-to-man), but craters to being arguably the worst in others.

The shooting slump over the past few games has been freakish. Some people are calling it a choke job, and while it might be (I don't think so, given the rest of the Playoffs), I legitimately feel like it's a freak anonomaly and Dallas has a mandate from heaven. Towns is pretty comfortably the most consistent three-point shooting big man ever, so this series has been painful to watch.

EDIT: As a note, keep an eye on Naz Reid defensively tonight. I swear to God, he has given you guys more points than he has provided, despite turning his 2K difficulty down to "Rookie" on offense. Might be the worst defensive performance of his career, I genuinely feel upset for Rudy Gobert.

[AbeVigodaLive]

only 6 fouls in three games. Bizarro Towns right now.

He'd better lol. This scheme has Towns having almost no defensive impact. I would have thought by now they would have him dropping back to cut off the lob and make Jones and Washington and Green make corner 3's, but Finch has stayed with his plan. It leaves Town just standing around off ball on defense a ton. Hard to argue too much with Finch's strategy despite the losses, but it definitely is letting the "smaller" Mavs more than stand up against a team that supposedly had too much size for them.

This is what is maddening for me about Towns. He's not expending much energy defensively at all so he should have legs for his shot--especially since he's basically a set shot guy anyway.

But of course Naz Reid sees Dallas and is like cool watch me just set 7 balls gently in the net from 25 feet like its nothing. That guy just eats Dallas up. You'd think by now Dallas would have an anyone but him (or Conley) policy, but they keep giving him good looks and he keeps punishing them.

For what it is worth, Towns actually got benched last game for not helping the helper (Rudy Gobert). Karl-Anthony Towns is legitimately an elite on-ball defensive player who can dynamically switch onto guards, but he can't play the Rudy Gobert role of drop coverage and roaming at all. It's super bizarre how he is legitimately one of the best defensive players in the entire NBA in a couple schemes (blitz, switching, man-to-man), but craters to being arguably the worst in others.

The shooting slump over the past few games has been freakish. Some people are calling it a choke job, and while it might be (I don't think so, given the rest of the Playoffs), I legitimately feel like it's a freak anonomaly and Dallas has a mandate from heaven. Towns is pretty comfortably the most consistent three-point shooting big man ever, so this series has been painful to watch.

Through three games... the Timberwolves two most polarizing players -- both easy targets for years by their detractors whether justified or not -- aren't doing themselves any favors.

Gobert fans can still point to +/- stats and stuff and stay true to the cause. But I just don't think there's any retort for Towns slander. He has to figure it out. Quickly. And then sustain it for another game, or two, or three.

[Texas Chuck]

Oh a Dirk homer doesn't want to hear about self-proclaimed best shooting big man ever. Now I know you put the caveat of 3-pt shooting which Dirk didn't employ at volume in his prime at all so I have to concede that to Towns.

But I think Matt Bonner is probably the most consistent 3-pt shooting big man of all-time.

[Klomp]

But of course Naz Reid sees Dallas and is like cool watch me just set 7 balls gently in the net from 25 feet like its nothing. That guy just eats Dallas up. You'd think by now Dallas would have an anyone but him (or Conley) policy, but they keep giving him good looks and he keeps punishing them.

2020-21: Season high three 3-pointers three times; once against Mavs
2021-22: Season high three 3-pointers two times; once against Mavs
2023-24: Season high seven 3-pointers two times; once against Mavs

The 29 career 3-pointers in 16 regular season game against Dallas matches the most he's made against any team, tying the 29 he's made against Oklahoma City (16 games) and Golden State (15 games). He's made them on 60 attempts, which falls between OKC (56 attempts) and GSW (64 attempts).

[iLLmatic860]

People always compared Luka to Harden in terms of playstyle but using it as a knock against him. But I always knew his mindset and bball iq is much greater than Hardens so I’m not surprised they are one game from the finals. I always thought that Kyrie and Luka backcourt could be lethal, I just thought they were a few pieces away. But I didnt realize they found those pieces already with Gafford and Washinton. Def rooting for Dallas to win it all

[Domejandro]

Oh a Dirk homer doesn't want to hear about self-proclaimed best shooting big man ever. Now I know you put the caveat of 3-pt shooting which Dirk didn't employ at volume in his prime at all so I have to concede that to Towns.

But I think Matt Bonner is probably the most consistent 3-pt shooting big man of all-time.

Official Warning: We will not stand Steve Novak erasure on this beautiful forum.

[Texas Chuck]

People always compared Luka to Harden in terms of playstyle

Meh, it never went further than ball dominant, not thin, step back shooting guys who shoot a lot of FT's. Harden is a technician. He gets with the analytics guys and figures out the best shots and just spams action that creates those shots relentlessly. He just refuses to be talked into anything else. It's really remarkable and because people don't like how it looks and because it hasn't been playoff resilient he gets killed. But as a regular season offensive engine? He's one of the absolute very best of all-time.

Luka OTOH is a freelance artist. He's adapting to the moment. He does things nobody else even considers doing. It leads to less brutal efficiency in the regular season because of risky passes, bad shot selection, teammates aren't always quite on the same page, etc.... But in the playoffs this unpredictability, this willingness to do what each situation calls for, makes him much more difficult to defend down the stretch of games.

Not sure one approach is necessarily better than the other, though its probably Luka's. You would concede having a worse playoff seed to have a better path to winning even a tougher matchup.

But the players aren't really that similar in how they approach basketball.

[Texas Chuck]

Oh a Dirk homer doesn't want to hear about self-proclaimed best shooting big man ever. Now I know you put the caveat of 3-pt shooting which Dirk didn't employ at volume in his prime at all so I have to concede that to Towns.

But I think Matt Bonner is probably the most consistent 3-pt shooting big man of all-time.

Official Warning: We will not stand Steve Novak erasure on this beautiful forum.

That's former Mav great Steve Novak. Even briefly on the Mavs championship team (lost his spot to the Janitor in teh end). Shot 75% for us too. (3/4 )

[Astaluego]

Crazy thing about Kat is I don't think he played bad outside of bad shooting....he drove the paint multiple times hard.

Imo...Timberwolves finally took away the lob. Kyrie Luka made difficult shots they haven't made all postseason.

Timberwolves have a great shot. Until Kyrie and Luka decide it's time to end it. 6 games imo

The Wolves have been 22nd in clutch time...I wanted to point this out for anyone who thinks it was luck, or a shot here or there

[gottamakeit]

PHX 4 games
19.3 PPG 9.5 RPG 2.5 APG 0.5 SPG 1.0 BPG
53.1% on 12.3 FGA
52.9% on 4.3 3PA
88.9% on 4.5 FTA

DEN 6 games
18.6 PPG 9.1 RPG 3.0 APG 0.9 SPG 0.4 BPG
51.0% on 13.7 FGA
39.4% on 4.7 3PA
79.2% on 3.4 FTA

DAL 3 games
15.0 PPG 8.3 RPG 2.7 APG 1.0 SPG 0.0 BPG
27.8% on 18.0 FGA
13.6% on 7.3 3PA
85.7% on 4.7 FTA

KAT was great the first two rounds. Versus DAL he has been a complete disaster. He better show up for game 4

What's even crazier...

Towns is known as an (1) uber-efficient shooter (2) who fouls more than anybody else in basketball and (3) turns it over a lot (partly from all those offensive fouls).

Towns is shooting 28/13 from the field... but has only 1 TO and only 6 fouls in three games. Bizarro Towns right now.

To explain the lack of fouls, Dallas parks their 4s (PJ Washington, DJJ, Kleber) in the corner. Kat really isn't being asked to help off of those corner guys.

[Baz]

I have a horrible feeling Minnesota will get the next 2

That's not horrible at all!

My gut feeling as well is if we get one, we'll get two...

And if you get two...

A team coming back from 0-3 WILL happen one day. The mentality should be "why not us?"

[AbeVigodaLive]

Oh a Dirk homer doesn't want to hear about self-proclaimed best shooting big man ever. Now I know you put the caveat of 3-pt shooting which Dirk didn't employ at volume in his prime at all so I have to concede that to Towns.

But I think Matt Bonner is probably the most consistent 3-pt shooting big man of all-time.

Official Warning: We will not stand Steve Novak erasure on this beautiful forum.

To be fair... I might be on the Matt Bonner train.

He put on the best shooting display I've ever seen. Granted, it was in warm-ups before a game (and at halftime) against one of the many woeful Timberwolves teams of the past... but... damn.

I think he made EVERY three point shot in warmups. And it wasn't like he was locked in. He made shots when he was in the warmup line. When he went to his spots around the arc. When he was alone. When he was joking with teammates. When he was eating a sandwich. When he was putting in an electrical socket. The guy just could not miss. And he did it all so effortlessly.

Matt Bonner >>> Steve Novac... and it's not even close.

[AbeVigodaLive]

PHX 4 games
19.3 PPG 9.5 RPG 2.5 APG 0.5 SPG 1.0 BPG
53.1% on 12.3 FGA
52.9% on 4.3 3PA
88.9% on 4.5 FTA

DEN 6 games
18.6 PPG 9.1 RPG 3.0 APG 0.9 SPG 0.4 BPG
51.0% on 13.7 FGA
39.4% on 4.7 3PA
79.2% on 3.4 FTA

DAL 3 games
15.0 PPG 8.3 RPG 2.7 APG 1.0 SPG 0.0 BPG
27.8% on 18.0 FGA
13.6% on 7.3 3PA
85.7% on 4.7 FTA

KAT was great the first two rounds. Versus DAL he has been a complete disaster. He better show up for game 4

What's even crazier...

Towns is known as an (1) uber-efficient shooter (2) who fouls more than anybody else in basketball and (3) turns it over a lot (partly from all those offensive fouls).

Towns is shooting 28/13 from the field... but has only 1 TO and only 6 fouls in three games. Bizarro Towns right now.

To explain the lack of fouls, Dallas parks their 4s (PJ Washington, DJJ, Kleber) in the corner. Kat really isn't being asked to help off of those corner guys.

Partly... yes... but remember, Towns has led the NBA in OFFENSIVE fouls multiple times. And that's a big reason why he's always among the league leaders in total fouls. Even this season, he led in offensive fouls per game. It's a legit problem for him and it's driven Timberwolves fans crazy for nearly a decade.

Getting multiple offensive fouls per game is not uncommon. At all. And those also count as TOs.

[Klomp]

For a team that struggles offensively stretching the floor as much as Minnesota does in segments, it's wild that Minnesota had three of the top 22 3-point percentages in the league on the roster (Conley, Towns, Reid).

[andz]

Scott Foster. GG Mavs... this series is going to game six at least... Can't believe how openly they rigg games....