Game 63: Chicago Bulls (20-38) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (36-26) - 9:00 PM ET

[ducler]

[AirP.]

Time to see some players step up.

[Varejao17]

I'm so sad right now... Hope Bjelica step up to the challenge and Bazz regain his basketball powers. Maybe we should sign Tony Allen to start for us, no?

[AirP.]

Read on Twitter

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[shrink]

Noooooo!

We've been mostly healthy this season, while other teams around us have had to deal with injuries. This is the worst possible loss, probably worse than if we would have lost KAT. The next man up, behind Jimmy, is who? Crawford? Bjelica? We have depth at PG and PF/C, but not really a back up swingman that's anything close to Jimmy. Also, Jimmy has been our go-to scorer when the game is on the line.

Four things that could help:

1 We have untapped offensive potential in KAT. He's extremely efficient, but he has not gotten enough attempts. We need to feed him over and over. He showed last year he can maintain his efficiency, even with more opportunities.

2. Wiggins is far too comfortable not being the man. Thibs needs to go to him, kick him in the ass, and say, "we need you to step up for the next 25 games. No games off"

3. We have an opportunity for a free agent starter, with a probably trip to the playoffs. Perhaps that opportunity might cause a good, but overpaid player, to ask out, to sign with us and showcase himself.

4. Several teams will be actively tanking, resting their better vets, and trying unusual combinations of young players. We will still have a talent advantage, and be actually trying to win, so hopefully we can win 2/3rds of our remaining games.

[life_saver]

Just feed the KAT

[life_saver]

I think 10/11 wins more should be enough for making playoffs

[AirP.]

Noooooo!

We've been mostly healthy this season, while other teams around us have had to deal with injuries. This is the worst possible loss, probably worse than KAT. The next man up, behind Jimmy, is who? Crawford? Bjelica? We have depth at PG and PF/C, but not really a back up swingman that's anything close to Jimmy. Also, Jimmy has been our go-to scorer when the game is on the line.

Four things that could help:

1 We have untapped offensive potential in KAT. He's extremely efficient, but he has not gotten enough attempts. We need to feed him over and over. He showed last year he can maintain his efficiency, even with more opportunities.

2. Wiggins is far too comfortable not being the man. Thibs needs to go to him, kick him in the ass, and say, "we need you to step up for the next 25 games. No games off"

3. We have an opportunity for a free agent starter, with a probably trip to the playoffs. Perhaps that opportunity might cause a good, but overpaid player, to ask out, to sign with us and showcase himself.

4. Several teams will be actively tanking, resting their better vets, and trying unusual combinations of young players. We will still have a talent advantage, and be actually trying to win, so hopefully we can win 2/3rds of our remaining games.

Points won't be the problem, they have enough scorers still, defense will be the problem.

Just looked at the schedule, knowing defense is a huge problem and what I expect to happen on the offensive end, this team may end up at only 42-43 wins for the season. I spoke too soon thinking this team would easily make the playoffs without Butler. The schedule is absolutely brutal for Minnesota.

63 Sat, Feb 24, 2018 9:00p ET 20-38 Chicago Bulls
64 Mon, Feb 26, 2018 10:00p ET 18-40 @ Sacramento Kings
65 Thu, Mar 1, 2018 10:30p ET 33-26 @ Portland Trail Blazers
66 Fri, Mar 2, 2018 10:30p ET 30-29 @ Utah Jazz
67 Thu, Mar 8, 2018 8:00p ET 41-19 Boston Celtics
68 Sun, Mar 11, 2018 3:30p ET 45-14 Golden State Warriors
69 Tue, Mar 13, 2018 7:00p ET 34-25 @ Washington Wizards
70 Sat, Mar 17, 2018 8:30p ET 35-25 @ San Antonio Spurs
71 Sun, Mar 18, 2018 7:00p ET 45-13 Houston Rockets
72 Tue, Mar 20, 2018 8:00p ET 31-27 Los Angeles Clippers
73 Fri, Mar 23, 2018 7:30p ET 24-36 @ New York Knicks
74 Sat, Mar 24, 2018 6:00p ET 31-25 @ Philadelphia 76ers
75 Mon, Mar 26, 2018 8:00p ET 18-39 Memphis Grizzlies
76 Wed, Mar 28, 2018 8:00p ET 18-42 Atlanta Hawks
77 Fri, Mar 30, 2018 8:30p ET 18-41 @ Dallas Mavericks
78 Sun, Apr 1, 2018 7:00p ET 30-29 Utah Jazz
79 Thu, Apr 5, 2018 10:30p ET 33-26 @ Denver Nuggets
80 Fri, Apr 6, 2018 10:30p ET 24-34 @ Los Angeles Lakers
81 Mon, Apr 9, 2018 8:00p ET 18-39 Memphis Grizzlies
82 Wed, Apr 11, 2018 8:00p ET 33-26 Denver Nuggets

Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis, Sacremento and NY are really the only ones I'm comfortable expecting a win from Minnesota.

[Loyal[]Wolf]

If we go .500 the rest of the way, we'll make it.

[shrink]

We need to start winning games 125-115.

[AirP.]

We need to start winning games 125-115.

Minnesota needs to stay with their efficient scorers and getting everyone to actually play defense and give extra effort.

[AirP.]

These games against the lesser teams are must win games if Minnesota wants to make the playoffs.

[Klomp]

I know he played at United Center already, but I feel for Jimmy getting hurt right before this game.

[shrink]

I just saw last weeks' Wolves Weekly, and I really like Jamaal Crawford. I've read that when summer break comes, he goes and plays pick up games, because he just loves basketball! He always talks like a pro, but with enthusiasm for the game.

I love to see people who have passion for what they do, and have used that passion to excel.

[Klomp]

I just saw last weeks' Wolves Weekly, and I really like Jamaal Crawford. I've read that when summer break comes, he goes and plays pick up games, because he just loves basketball! He always talks like a pro, but with enthusiasm for the game.

I love to see people who have passion for what they do, and have used that passion to excel.

Did you see the pregame hit just now?

[shrink]

I just saw last weeks' Wolves Weekly, and I really like Jamaal Crawford. I've read that when summer break comes, he goes and plays pick up games, because he just loves basketball! He always talks like a pro, but with enthusiasm for the game.

I love to see people who have passion for what they do, and have used that passion to excel.

Did you see the pregame hit just now?

Yes, I've been really busy this whole week. In fact, I missed the HOU game last night, only saw the score and didn't even have time to read about it, so I just learned about the Jimmy injury earlier in this pre-game thread. It stings!!

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

I know he played at United Center already, but I feel for Jimmy getting hurt right before this game.

especially after losing the way we did...we would've killed Chicago at home. Now Im not so sure what happens.

Maybe KAT carries us. He has the skill to

[Folklore]

we lose the game Zach LaVine top player

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[AirP.]

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