GDT: Minnesota vs. Denver

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Welcome back, Wolves fans. Our beloved team actually went on the road and beat the reigning champions on their home court, but can they follow that performance up with a key victory at home over their division rival Nuggets?

Similar to Wednesday's game, this matchup won't be easy with last season's Most Valuable Player in Nikola Jokic likely suiting up for Denver, but the Robin to his Batman in Jamal Murray is still nursing his left knee and will be out for tonight's game. It's also worth mentioning that Jokic was listed as questionable last night against the Mavericks, but he played 25 effective minutes in a comfortable win. I'd expect Jokic to play tonight, but I wonder if the Nuggets might rest him considering this is the second game of a back-to-back for them. I wouldn't bet on it, but it's a possibility.

For Minnesota, I think we need to see more of the team we saw in Milwaukee, especially to beat a good Denver team. It starts with an energetic and disciplined defensive effort. The Wolves rank fifth in the NBA in defensive rating through their four games of play. That's obviously a small sample size, and their opponents have been weak with one exception, but my eyes tell me that the scheme matches the personnel exceptionally well. Additionally, the engagement and effort has been there from every Wolves player that's logged minutes thus far. I said it in the last game thread, but I expect Minnesota's defense to continue to be a strength this season. I think it's real and here to stay with this group.

We obviously need strong individual performances from the usual suspects -- Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards. I'm hoping Chris Finch is convinced that Jarred Vanderbilt is the most effective option at the four with the starting lineup. His impact defensively and on the glass was better than advertised against the Bucks. Keep in mind that lineups that included Towns, Russell, Edwards, and Vanderbilt were a net plus-19.3 last year. It's not a huge sample size, but we definitely deserve to see more of it.

I also want to see Malik Beasley get hot in this one. It's against his old team and he's really been struggling to put the ball in the hoop. He has to play better than he has to start the season and he's just too good of a shooter to keep clanking shots off the rim.

Minnesota's favored in this one by 2.5 points. Give me the Wolves and the points. I have Minnesota winning by six in what should be a fun one.

[60WinTim]

I thought Denver looked real good last night. If we brick as many 3-pointers as the Mavs did last night, I don't like our chances. But I am an opTIMist, so I am looking for a good shooting night, and as you said, Denver could be off tonight having played last night.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Between injuries and blowouts... Jokic is playing fewer than 29 mpg. But check out his Per 36 stats:

29.5 ppg
17.5 reb
6.5 apg
66.2% fg

He's just so damn good.


[Note: Towns is pretty damn good, too. Should be fun to watch.]

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I thought Denver looked real good last night. If we brick as many 3-pointers as the Mavs did last night, I don't like our chances. But I am an opTIMist, so I am looking for a good shooting night, and as you said, Denver could be off tonight having played last night.

Denver did look good, but man, Dallas has virtually nothing after Doncic. It's basically him and a bunch of halfway decent role players.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I thought Denver looked real good last night. If we brick as many 3-pointers as the Mavs did last night, I don't like our chances. But I am an opTIMist, so I am looking for a good shooting night, and as you said, Denver could be off tonight having played last night.

I can't imagine Minnesota continuing to shoot the three ball as poorly as they have with the level of shooters on the roster. Tonight would be an awesome breakout for Malik Beasley and Taurean Prince. What do they say about the law of averages?

[BloopOracle]

Interesting matchups all over the floor, this should be a fun night of basketball

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

In Vando We Trust. Jarred Vanderbilt gets the start tonight. I love it.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

In Vando We Trust. Jarred Vanderbilt gets the start tonight. I love it.

Would love to see him shut down and frustrate Porter.

[Lipoli390]

Bolmaro is here warming up. Beasley is missing most if his threes in warmups.

[Lipoli390]

Ok. Now Beasley is making them. He looks really intense. I'm expecting a really good game from him tonight.