WCF Game 4, 5/26: OKC @ Timberwolves, 7:30 PM CST

[m2002brian]

I don’t know quite understand how Dort and Caruso can get up Imso far into the body of Ant and get him out of the game, but we can’t do the same thing with naw and McDaniels? Is the fouls baiting?

Honestly speaking, Jaden is and naw are a bit more handsy and not very subtle with their swipes. They also don’t take the best angles consistently. Ant needs to sell a little more but I mentioned earlier that I don’t think his mentality will allow him to.

So the difference then is… when it’s Chet, Chet is still coming up. Rudy is staying back?
Then I guess Rudy needs to step up and trust the back end defense behind him.

[Guest84]

Donte is a -11. I don’t think you can play him long. Give that to TJ and Clark

[Calinks]

I don’t know quite understand how Dort and Caruso can get up Imso far into the body of Ant and get him out of the game, but we can’t do the same thing with naw and McDaniels on sga? Is the fouls baiting?

SGA is a more talented scorer.

[jpatrick]

Donte is a -11. I don’t think you can play him long. Give that to TJ and Clark

I can’t believe how bad he’s been all playoffs. NAz was bad early in the playoffs but has turned it around. DDV terrible throughout.

[Dewey]

Why hasn't Finch come up with any adjustments to counter how they are defending Ant?!?

Why hasn’t Ant figured out how to stop dribbling into double and triple teams? Someone’s open… sometimes 2.

OKC can double triple Ant all night … just need intelligent players to realize it means open shooters.

Stop the turnovers: less dribbling … more passing

[younggunsmn]

We are incredibly lucky to be within 20 points let alone only down 8 after that half full of garbage.

I dont know that Ive ever seen a team shoot as many wide open 3s and layups in a playoff game as OKC did in the first half.

We are MINUS TEN in the possession battle, with 12 turnovers and 11 offensive rebounds given up.
When we got lucky and OKC would miss a wide open shot we couldnt even grab the rebound most of the time.

We are super lucky NAW and TJ came off throwing flames in the first half or this would already be a blowout.
I don't know WTF we are trying to run on offense but its atrocious. It's either Ant trapped 40 feet from the basket or Julius dribbling into 5 people.

This is desperation time and we need to start getting aggressive on both ends of the court, take care of the ball, and grab some damn rebounds.
Victory is still well within reach but we are not matching their effort at all tonight.
Rudy, Naz and Randle have to play much much bigger on both ends.
Ant needs to start doing Ant things.
Defense needs to start playing with a helluva lot more urgency.


The script for tonight seems to be to allow OKC to just slash and hack at will all possession long on defense.
We can only hope that maybe that will change once they flip ends.

[m2002brian]

Ant needs a white sleeve like Kobe. Made it easier to see the contact on the arm.

[Guest84]

I don’t know quite understand how Dort and Caruso can get up Imso far into the body of Ant and get him out of the game, but we can’t do the same thing with naw and McDaniels? Is the fouls baiting?

Honestly speaking, Jaden is and naw are a bit more handsy and not very subtle with their swipes. They also don’t take the best angles consistently. Ant needs to sell a little more but I mentioned earlier that I don’t think his mentality will allow him to.

So the difference then is… when it’s Chet, Chet is still coming up. Rudy is staying back?
Then I guess Rudy needs to step up and trust the back end defense behind him.

In terms of the overall defense, it’s ok but they can’t close the possession with the rebound. I think this is why Rudy feels hesitant to come up in the scheme.

They need to apply more pressure though. Giving up too many open shots and drives. Make Dort beat you especially considering the energy he’s using on defense.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Julius is off. It's difficult dealing with personalities like his. He either shows up after the half or doesn’t.. and unfortunately may have to bench again..

We got this though.

[Nick K]

My god, Rudy got an offensive rebound! I saw it with my own eyes.

[Guest84]

Is Finch not game planning for that rebound tip out they’re doing?

[winforlose]

When Mike Conley drains that, all I can think is “Bite, Bite, Bitch!”

[winforlose]

My god, Rudy got an offensive rebound! I saw it with my own eyes.

Fun as that was, I would settle for more defensive rebounds.

[Domejandro]

Early in this half, Minnesota is intentionally screening in the backcourt/half-court to enable Anthony Edwards to not be doubled at the three-point line. It is a good change, he just needs to stay aggressive and lean into contact.

[Guest84]

Donte is a -11. I don’t think you can play him long. Give that to TJ and Clark

I can’t believe how bad he’s been all playoffs. NAz was bad early in the playoffs but has turned it around. DDV terrible throughout.

Right. The difference is you have to play Naz due to a lack of bigs.

[Nick K]

My god, Rudy got an offensive rebound! I saw it with my own eyes.

Fun as that was, I would settle for more defensive rebounds.

I'll take what I can get. For having no offensive game outside of a dunk, Rudy should get 15 boards a night.

[Domejandro]

Absolutely HORRIBLE fast break, but turned out great getting Lou Dort out of the game.

[Domejandro]

Where the **** are Minnesota's perimeter players on rebounds?

[_AIJ_]

get a **** rebound man!

[Calinks]

These offensive rebounds are absolutely crushing us.