Game 1: Timberwolves at Blazers (10/22, 9 pm)

[_AIJ_]

This game is annoying lol

[Norseman79]

I feel like you need Rob Dilingham in the game if neither Anthony Edwards or Mike Conley are in the game. Donte DiVincenzo can never be the lead ball-handler for this team, totally unviable in that role.

Rob would get absolutely eaten alive by this type of physical defensive pressure.

[Domejandro]

Donte's done a lot of good things, but man his turnovers are killing the Wolves.

Take away his 5 TOs and counting and he's had a good game. Include them he's been abysmal.

I 100% understand the point you are making, but the phrase "take away his 5 TOs" half way through the second quarter is horrifying.

[TimberKat]

The +/- for NBA is the most misleading stats of them all. So far, the only guys that are positive are Naz and Clark.

[Domejandro]

I feel like you need Rob Dilingham in the game if neither Anthony Edwards or Mike Conley are in the game. Donte DiVincenzo can never be the lead ball-handler for this team, totally unviable in that role.

Rob would get absolutely eaten alive by this type of physical defensive pressure.

I don't disagree, but in any gap where Anthony Edwards or Mike Conley are not on the court, Minnesota needs a real perimeter ball-handler. Luckily it was resolved quickly by putting Anthony Edwards back in, but the lack of ball-handling is a problem.

[Loaf_of_bread]

So you have Berringer and Rocco as the back up centers, but neither gets a minute in reality. Got it.

Beringer isn't going to play. He isn’t ready.

Whatever with that load of crap. He is ready and if somebody says he's the primary backup center you should expect him to get some minutes at Center. Yang Hansen not nearly as good has been in for a pretty long time.

He's pretty raw. I don't mind losing a few games with him and rob getting a bit of time, but we need to integrate them at the right time. We need to win this game.

[Klomp]

This might be a Jaden game

[Guest84]

DDV 5 TOs early 2nd quarter. Let's end the experiment already.

This is what happens when you don’t have a viable option at pg on the roster.

[KGdaBom]

Randle and Ant playing well. Maybe McDaniels.

[Guest84]

They might as well list Ant as the pg if they’re going to start DDV.

[Klomp]

They might as well list Ant as the pg if they’re going to start DDV.

He essentially is.

[KGdaBom]

I feel like you need Rob Dilingham in the game if neither Anthony Edwards or Mike Conley are in the game. Donte DiVincenzo can never be the lead ball-handler for this team, totally unviable in that role.

Rob would get absolutely eaten alive by this type of physical defensive pressure.

We need Dilly to come in and lead the comeback.

[KGdaBom]

They might as well list Ant as the pg if they’re going to start DDV.

He essentially is.

Yet DDV has still managed to have 5 TOs in the first half.

[Klomp]

Portland is feisty. Wolves look gassed already

This is their schtick. We just need to stay close enough and make just enough shots to get through this one.

Just keep keeping it close. This is about how I would have expected the half to go. They are feistier than I remembered, but we have to keep it close. We need to stop fouling. I still like our chances.

[Klomp]

They might as well list Ant as the pg if they’re going to start DDV.

He essentially is.

Yet DDV has still managed to have 5 TOs in the first half.

Correct. More people than just the PG will have the ball during the game. It is a five-man lineup out there. Donte has to have better ball control out there.

[KGdaBom]

Portland is feisty. Wolves look gassed already

This is their schtick. We just need to stay close enough and make just enough shots to get through this one.

Just keep keeping it close. This is about how I would have expected the half to go. They are feistier than I remembered, but we have to keep it close. We need to stop fouling. I still like our chances.

We will win.

[TimberKat]

I like the combo of Gobert/Towns/Naz, but Gobert/Randle/Naz just doesn't work. Towns/Naz can work together but Randle/Naz is a disaster. We need to trade (Randle or Naz) + Conley for a PG. Throw in DDV or Dilly if we need to.

[Klomp]

It was a rough first stint for the starters, but I feel like most everyone responded well

[Klomp]

I like the combo of Gobert/Towns/Naz, but Gobert/Randle/Naz just doesn't work. Towns/Naz can work together but Randle/Naz is a disaster. We need to trade (Randle or Naz) + Conley for a PG. Throw in DDV or Dilly if we need to.

The counter is that the issue is offensive threats to match POR's defensive pressure. With Gobert it's a lot of 4 on 5, especially without Mike. Reid +4, Randle -5, Gobert -9.

[Loaf_of_bread]

I like the combo of Gobert/Towns/Naz, but Gobert/Randle/Naz just doesn't work. Towns/Naz can work together but Randle/Naz is a disaster. We need to trade (Randle or Naz) + Conley for a PG. Throw in DDV or Dilly if we need to.

Randle and ddv need to go asap before their value deteriorates.