Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV

[GooniousMaximus]

Two of the NBA’s youngest teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns, will square off on Monday night at the Target Center.
7 p.m., Target Center
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North, NBATV
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO

Key Matchup: Zach LaVine vs. Devin Booker


Wolves Probable Starters




Suns Probable Starters (2016-17 Record when using this line-up: 3-7)




Last Matchup
The last matchup between the two teams came on Nov. 25 in Phoenix. The Wolves came away with a 98-85 win.
In that game, Wiggins led Minnesota with 25 points and five rebounds. Towns had 22 points and 10 rebounds, LaVine had 13 points and Gorgui Dieng and Ricky Rubio had 11 points each.

For Phoenix, Bledsoe had 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, Brandon Knight had 15 points and four rebounds, Booker had 11 points and Chriss added nine points.






Let's Go Wolves!

[GooniousMaximus]

@bwgood77 – can't send PMs but created a game thread, thanks for the +1 previously

Went to the 11/25 Game in Phoenix, was great game to see and always nice to have some fellow Wolves fans in attendance.

Hopefully the last (thread and) game was not a deterrent and they can pull out the W. A lot of teams in the west idling around similar records, so hopefully the end of the year can go on a bit of a streak. Would have liked to see some line up changes though, we'll see.

[Calinks]

I will be at this game. It is my belief that the team is slowly starting to click. I am seeing small improvements individually over the lat few games and I am hoping its just a matter of time until we can start seeing that come together collectively for sustained minutes on the court. With the schedule being somewhat soft the next few games we could really start to put better efforts together now. That Rockets win would have been a great catalyst combined with the Bulls game to propel us to another level and get streaking. I hope the boys put it together tonight,

[Nick K]

I will be at this game. It is my belief that the team is slowly starting to click. I am seeing small improvements individually over the lat few games and I am hoping its just a matter of time until we can start seeing that come together collectively for sustained minutes on the court. With the schedule being somewhat soft the next few games we could really start to put better efforts together now. That Rockets win would have been a great catalyst combined with the Bulls game to propel us to another level and get streaking. I hope the boys put it together tonight,

I couldn't agree more Calinks. We're getting better and better. That said, there's no excuse for a loss tonight. They need this one.

[GooniousMaximus]

Agreed, and we have the tenacity to handle these well performing teams...we just don't keep that momentum for whatever reason.

Have fun at the game!

[ducler]

[Vindicater]

The start of the streak! I can feel it.

[LesGrossman]

I think we win this with ease and everyone will walk around and brag about our great "core" and pretend everything is just fine in wolves land.

Lets see wether we actually have some IMPROVEMENT regardless of the outcome of the game. Things i want to see:
- keep moving the ball through 48 minutes. No more sticky hands, no ball stoppers (mainly Lavine, Wiggins)
- no selfish dumb "me first" low percentage ego ball plays (mainly Towns)
- get back on defense, try hard to stay in front of your man (Lavine, Towns)
- dont hesitate to take open shots even if the first few dont fall (Rubio, Bjelica)
- If players dont comply, take them out regardless of their role, let them sit and think (Thibs)

[cpfsf]

I think we win this with ease and everyone will walk around and brag about our great "core" and pretend everything is just fine in wolves land.

Lets see wether we actually have some IMPROVEMENT regardless of the outcome of the game. Things i want to see:
- keep moving the ball through 48 minutes. No more sticky hands, no ball stoppers (mainly Lavine, Wiggins)
- no selfish dumb "me first" low percentage ego ball plays (mainly Towns)
- get back on defense, try hard to stay in front of your man (Lavine, Towns)
- dont hesitate to take open shots even if the first few dont fall (Rubio, Bjelica)
- If players dont comply, take them out regardless of their role, let them sit and think (Thibs)

True, but I also think this comment is what i expect to also see in every game thread

[LesGrossman]

Very surprised to hear Jim Pete call out KAT for his bad decisions (another way to phrase selfish plays) so openly. Refreshing, i think the youngsters need that and more of it and particularily from their bench.

[Crazy-Canuck]

The gameplan has to be to let KAT take Chriss to the woodshed in the paint.

[Klomp]

Am I the only one who wonders if Rubio even aims when he flips up those scoop shots at the rim? Seems like they're always off. Go up strong!

[Crazy-Canuck]

KAT and Dieng are just bad together as a defensive pair.

[Crazy-Canuck]

Am I the only one who wonders if Rubio even aims when he flips up those scoop shots at the rim? Seems like they're always off. Go up strong!

He gets no lift off the ground, so he just hoists it up.

[Nick K]

Am I the only one who wonders if Rubio even aims when he flips up those scoop shots at the rim? Seems like they're always off. Go up strong!

He can't go up strong.

[Nick K]

KAT and Dieng are just bad together as a defensive pair.

Couldn't agree more. Dieng needs to come off the bench.

[Nick K]

Finally we're picking it up on the defensive end.

[LesGrossman]

wtf. This team is seriously broken. Ricky battles a forward for a defensive rebound and everyone runs away. 100% of this team is mentally disconnected on defense, already thinking about how and when they'll score next.

[NewWolvesOrder]

wtf. This team is seriously broken. Ricky battles a forward for a defensive rebound and everyone runs away. 100% of this team is mentally disconnected on defense, already thinking about how and when they'll score next.

That was seriously messed up. Like WTF!!!

We look like dog$**** so far. But Suns are just worse than us I guess.

[Crazy-Canuck]

Time for Wiggy to see the bench if he takes another long 2.