BTB wins? Sixers GDT

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'm feeling rather optimistic after last night's Motown bloodbath. We hadn't seen that Wolves team since the start of the year, when the pundits had us ranked as a top 5 team. A brutal schedule led to tired legs and a bunch of losses, and most of the optimism was sucked out of this board. A decisive win tonight could bring it back.

Let's be honest about Philadelphia...they're not very good. After a stunning 3-0 start, they have gone 4-15 with 3 of those 4 victories overtime squeakers. They are 1-8 on the road with their only road win in their second game against Washington. 11 of those 15 losses have been by double digits, including a 37 point embarrassment in New Orleans, and they own the third worst point differential in the NBA, ahead of only Utah and Milwaukee. Their highest scorer is a guy that many on this board thought might be a trade candidate for Derrick Williams straight up, and their best player is a rookie point guard who won't play tonight. The only other point guard on the roster is Wolves' cast-off Lorenzo Brown, although he is not playing much, the 76ers preferring to go with SG Tony Wroten at point guard. They are woeful...perhaps the worst team in the league right now.

On the other side, we have the Wolves coming off perhaps their best game of the year, but playing the back half of a BTB where they are 1-6 to date. Fortunately, Adelman did a good job of limiting minutes last night, so hopefully the Wolves will not come out tired. Vegas has them as a 10-point favorite, and I think they will cover that easily.

The wolves need to beat up on bad teams if they are to be considered a playoff team, so tonight is a good test for them. I'm hoping to see a lot of Dieng, Shabazz, Hummel and Price in the fourth quarter tonight.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Didn't see your post LST! Just going to copy/paste mine from a minute ago.

Game shouldn't even be close if we're being realistic. In Target Center. MCW isn't playing for Philly. Wolves just played good ball and should still have momentum from last night. I expect this one to be over fast barring ridiculous, absurdly good shooting from the Sixers.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Hawes is a stretch 5 and our bigs always seem to struggle defending good jump shooting big men. Lack of length not only affects one's ability to defend the rim, but it also makes it more difficult to strongly contest shooters. That's why Love and Pek play more of a hunker down defense. They will give up shots over the top of the defense, try to prevent deep post position, avoid fouling, and protect the defensive glass. But if someone gets hot from outside, we are at their mercy.

But I digress....Indeed, this should be a game we win.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Wolves seem to have their BTB legs tonight...6 for 20 shooting. Philly is terrible on defense, but we're just not converting.

[worldK]

Rubio scoring early. Nice 3 and a long 2

[worldK]

Lorenzo brown playing for the sixers now..

[worldK]

brown just schooled rubio there...

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Wow, Brewer and Martin 0 for their first 10. Down 16 to the horrible 76ers

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Down 17... Sixers shooting ridiculously well... Fuck.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Gotta be the worst quarter we have played all year. Embarrassing to be getting blown out by Philly at home.