Game Report - Wolves v. Mavs

[Lipoli390]

It's been a while since my last game report. But unfortunately, I was at the game last night and feel compelled to post a report on train wreck I saw. Last night's game was the sort of game this team has to win to be a legitimate contender for a playoff seed in the West. Losing last night's game was a huge step back and has to leave even the most stidently optimisic Wolves fans wondering about the future.

I noticed a lot of dialogue in the other game thread on the cause or causes of last night's debacle. Lots of good discussion and insights. But I think that, other than the officiating, last night's loss resulted almost entirely from the following three things, listed in order of importance:

1. Bench play. This was clearly and unmistakeably the biggest factor in last night's loss. Nothing new there, right? The Wolves have the worst bench in the League (or close to it) and it showed again last night. Let's just look at the numbers. The Wolves bench collectively scored 5 points (all JJ Barea). Yes, 5 points total. But it gets worse. The Wolves bench collectively accumulated 9 turnovers and zero steals!!! You want more? How about only 2 assists and zero free throw attempts. Yes, our bench couldn't even draw one lousy foul. In contrast, the Dallas bench scored 26 points to go with 7 steals, 16 rebounds and only 4 turnovers. I could stop here and not bother with the other two factors, but I'll continue.

2. The team's brain-dead first half. There was absolutely no excuse for falling behind by 19 points in the first half. That's not just on the bench; it's on the entire team -- players and coaches. The players looked like they had just gotten out of bed. No one was moving without the ball -- not at all. Kevin Martin seemed so tired he couldn't hold onto the ball when it touched his hands. (Althought there's a bigger issue with Kevin Martin's ability to handle and protect the ball that trancends last night's game). In any event, the overall effort of the team in the first half was pathetic and unworthy of any team that considers itself a contender for a place in the Western Conference playoffs. It would be one thing if it were only last night, but we have seen this failure to show up ready to play repeatedly in games this season. And to not come out ready at home against the team immediately in front of us in the standings is wildly inexplicable.

3. Adelman's delay getting Ricky back in the game in the second half. This was a big factor and that's not just hindsight. My buddy and I were beside ourselves as we watched Adelman leave JJ in the game with a well-rested Ricky sitting on the bench. I know that Cool took some heat in the other thread on this point, but having watched the game up close last night, I have to say that Cool was abolutely right that Adelman really screwed up in failing to get Ricky back in the game sooner. And as most on this board know, I've generally been a strong defender of Adelman. Not only was JJ horrible last night, but Ricky played really well. The Wolves were MUCH better on both ends when Ricky was in the game last night. A bunch of fans in my section were all saying that last night. Ricky's 13 assists, 9 rebounds and 3 steals should be enough evidence, but it's beyond that. The team just flowed much, much better with Ricky in there. And defensively? It was far more than the 3 steals. Calderon had only 8 points on 3-7 shooting in 37 minutes. Ricky dominated him defensively. Ricky was draped all over him the entire game, preveing him from getting any good looks.

If we're looking for a 4th factor, it would be the officiating. Last night's game was the most horribly one-sided officiating I've ever seen live at Target Center. It wasn't just the unacceptable no-call on Love's last shot. The Mavs were getting away all game with repeated obvious, hard, game-impacting fouls while the Wolves were getting called multiple times for the ticky-tack variety. My buddy and I noted at least three hard fouls that weren't called on Pekovic lay-up attempts. The fouls were the obvious type that caused Pek's layups to bound hard off the backboard, caused by his arm being pounded from behind. Pekovic was shoved hard in the back twice, preventing him from getting what would have been sure rebounds. So I give Pek a pass on shooting slightly uner 50% last night. He had six foul shots and hit all of them. He should have had at least 6 more free throw attempts. That alone would have resulted in a Wolves win even without the call that should have been made at the end. I'll note also that Ricky was getting hand-checked repeatedly and the Mavs were reaching in constantly on Love, Ricky, and Martin.

Other observations:

1. The crowd was really good last night. They really got into it in the second half and were vocal in expressing their displeasure at the horrific quality of the officiating. The loud chorus of boos for the officials at the end was somewhat gratifying.

2. Kevin Love was tremendous as usual last night. His offensive production was obvious, so I won't go into any detail there. But I wanted to praise his defense. He really defended Dirk well, holding him to 16 points on 7-17 shooting and only 3 trips to the line. Love really hustled on both ends all game. I loved the charge he drew in the second half.

3. As discussed above, Ricky was tremendous.

4. Corey Brewer's defense was terrible last night. He repeatedly got lost in the defensive rotation and allowed Marion to get open for wide-open corner threes. Not surprisingly, Marion had 32 points on 14-19 shooting. And of course, Corey should NEVER put the ball on the floor. On the other hand, Corey really stepped up on the offensive end with big threes in the 3rd quarter that were key in getting us back in the game. I love Corey's heart and his hustle. Unfortunately, he's expected to do too much on this team and that's not his fault.

5. Kevin Martin did not play well. Yes, he had 19 points. But 40% from the field and 1-3 from behind the arc doesn't cut it when you're talking about you're main shooter outside of Love -- especially when that main shooter is a truly one-dimensional player like Martin who had only 3 boards, 1 assist, zero steals and 3 turnovers last night. His inability to handle the ball on par with the better SGs in the League further diminishes his value and puts even more pressure on Ricky as our ONLY bona fide ball-hander in the starting lineup.

But again, the big problem? THE BENCH!!!!! I don't have an answer, but the Wolves "brain" trust had better come up with one. I'm sorry, the answer has to be more than Chase Budinger.

[Lipoli390]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/31/league-admits-kevin-love-was-fouled-on-final-shot-monday-should-have-gotten-free-throws/

[AbeVigodaLive]

Can't disagree with much here.

One note about Dallas and the officiating. By many reports, the Wolves seemingly try to avoid fouling. I think Q has provided the stats on that one, including MN's ability to dominate free throw totals most nights.

But does last night's game illustrate why that's a strategy doomed to fail? Think about the KG-era Boston Celtics. They fouled. A lot. (Whether it was called or not.) As a result, their physical play helped dictate how the game would be officiated. Officials won't call EVERY foul. It's entertainment after all. But Boston was able to help dictate where the line would be drawn with every crew. If one crew gave them more leeway... they'd take it.

But if your strategy ends up with your players playing soft from the get-go to avoid fouls when you don't even know where the line will be drawn that night...

See where I'm going with this?

And on a secondary note, the playoffs are tougher. For fans who watched the 7 first round exits, many can remember how successful soft, jump-shooting teams fare when it gets more intense and physical. Even Terrell Brandon would agree with that. (maybe)

Heck, just check out the Wolves futility in the 4th quarter this season. Or, its record in close games. Those are the times when things get more physical. And it seems like this team has no idea where it stands in those moments.

For everything negative towards the Wolves about last night... kudos to Carlisle, Marion and Co. for "figuring out" a way to win, any way they could.

[Lipoli390]

Excellent point, Abe! Although I'll add that last night's officiating crew allowed the Mavs to get away with way, way too much!! And that's probably an understatement. But your larger point is a good one.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Good report Lip. I'm baffled by Adelman's decision not to give Bazz and Dieng more burn. Is Bazz that horrible that he can't be trusted on the worst bench in the league for some scoring and breathers to Brewer and Martin? You're right, Chase isn't going to be the answer, because I'm sure somebody else will get hurt too.

Seems like the perfect time to try a new strategy, but Adelman's strategy seems to be to hover around .500 with heavy starter minutes that won't go anywhere in a playoff series.

[Lipoli390]

I agree, Lloyd. I don't care how green Shabazz and Dieng are. There has to be minutes for them in a second unit that can only produce 5 points -- all from one player -- while committing 9 turnovers. There has to be. Adelman is a future hall-of-fame coach, but I'm really beginning to wonder about him.

[mjs34]

LIp, are you sure that Adelman didn't just drift off into a nap last night? Maybe that's why Rubio didn't get back into the game on a timely manner.

I don't watch the practices, but I don't see how putting Dieng in for some of DC's minutes could possibly be a bad thing.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I don't understand Dieng since he seemingly offers the ONE thing the Wolves don't have up front... rim protection. I just don't think much of Shabazz to consider him much of an option. But that's debatable.

I just saw a stat that was kind of sad. And amazing.

8 players have taken at least 50 corner 3 pointers this season. 7 of them are shooting AT LEAST 42% from that spot. Only one is below.

Obviously, that's Brewer. He was at 28% entering last night. I'm never been a Budinger is a savior type of guy. But he will improve on that, gimpy knee or not.

[AbeVigodaLive]

LIp, are you sure that Adelman didn't just drift off into a nap last night? Maybe that's why Rubio didn't get back into the game on a timely manner.

I don't watch the practices, but I don't see how putting Dieng in for some of DC's minutes could possibly be a bad thing.

Spacing issues? Cunningham, whether he should be used that way or not... is open for those 18 - 20 footers on a second unit that is terrible at shooting. With Dieng in there, it's even more congested.

But you're right... what is there to lose at this point?

[JasonIsDaMan [enjin:7981157]]

Good report Lip. I'm baffled by Adelman's decision not to give Bazz and Dieng more burn. Is Bazz that horrible that he can't be trusted on the worst bench in the league for some scoring and breathers to Brewer and Martin? You're right, Chase isn't going to be the answer, because I'm sure somebody else will get hurt too.

Seems like the perfect time to try a new strategy, but Adelman's strategy seems to be to hover around .500 with heavy starter minutes that won't go anywhere in a playoff series.

Why would Chase not be "the answer"? They lost by 2. If he's worth 3 points, they win. If you don't believe he is, you might as well stop watching, because no one else is walking through that door.