Hopes dashed...time for teeth gnashing and Mo bashing----Heat GDT

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

It doesn't feel as fun going into this game as it did going into yesterday's, but there are still a lot of things to watch...mainly development of our young guys, now including Zach.

Miami is favored by 7, but really isn't a very good team. They started out 3-0 against 2 Eastern Division teams and a CBA team (Philly), and then showed what they really are in their first venture into the West with a 17 point loss at home to Houston. With their post-LeBron bubble popped, they followed that loss up with another loss at Charlotte. I think the Heat had a lot of "let's show we can play without LeBron" energy as they went 3-0, but now the reality has set in that they are a mediocre basketball team.

But the Wolves are a mediocre team at best without their Rubio, and hence the lopsided line. The Wolves' only chance is if they can channel the same kind of "let's show we can play without Ricky" energy that carried the Heat a week ago. I'm saying they have a chance.

Chris Bosh has been born again post-James, and is having a terrific start to the season. Unfortunately, he likes to score from places that Pek doesn't visit very often...i.e. far from the basket...so Flip may have to turn to Dieng if Bosh goes off. The starting center matchup is intriguing though, because Pek should be able to score at will on Bosh, who has neither the bulk or rim-defending skills to stop him. It will be interesting to see what Flip does at center.

Wade and Deng are nice players, but somewhat on the decline, and everyone behind their "Big 3" defines mediocrity. The Heat may not be a playoff team in the East, and that's saying something. Whether the Wolves can be competitive tonight depends on how they respond to the loss of their leader and star. I think Flip will be gauging the energy level tonight, and rewarding guys who look like they want to play hard. Might be good news for Muhammad and Brewer...hopefully they answer the call.

[60WinTim]

You beat me to it! I'll just add my 2 cents here:

I'm not as down as I was last night. Rubio is not out for the season. And it's a great opportunity for others to step up in his absence to create scoring opportunities, whether it's Zach, Wiggins, Mo or others.

The Wolves already got their one expected win from the current 3-in-4-nights stretch, so this is a bonus game tonight. Lip was wrong when he said the Wolves fell apart when Rubio tore his ACL. They continued to put up a good fight. But then there was Beasley going down followed by Pek going down -- it finally became too much to overcome. Hopefully we don't see a repeat of the injuries piling on!

So sit back and enjoy the process of the Wolves learning to play solid basketball until Rubio returns. It will happen. Flip is too good a coach to not make it happen.

[mjs34]

Isn't the game tomorrow night?

[60WinTim]

Isn't the game tomorrow night?

Only if you DVR it!!! :)

[60WinTim]

Timberwolves PR ?@Twolves_PR 9m9 minutes ago
Flip tells the media that Ricky is expected to be on crutches for the next 10-14 days. Knows Ricky will be back as soon as he can. #Twolves


Timberwolves PR ?@Twolves_PR 3m3 minutes ago
Flip tells the media that Anthony Bennett will not play tonight due to soreness in his right knee. #Twolves

[mjs34]

I now have Direct TV and on something called "My Teams it listed the game at 6:30 Sun, but when I looked deeper it is on tonight. Not sure what the Sun was for, but at least I can watch all the games now.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm a little troubled by AB's nagging issues. First there was last year's disaster, but he's now missed a few games because of a sore knee going back to the pre-season.

I guess that means more Hummell :) That isn't entirely a bad thing to have him out there with the likes of LaVine and Shabazz. He keeps the ball moving and generally plays mistake free ball.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I love the opTIMistic take, Tim, but I'm still feeling down. Ricky is such a joyful player to watch, it's a huge letdown when he's not in there. Many of us sensed it last night, and Volans commented on how boring the game felt. I agreed, and it was the first time this year I had that feeling. When Love broke his hand, I knew it was going to make us a worse team, but it didn't detract much from my joy in watching them. Ricky is different though, in that he brings something unique to the court that is almost always fun to watch.

I'm kind of worried the Wolves are going to be flat tonight, like they were last night. I hope they surprise me.

[mjs34]

Is Turiaf hurt? I haven't seen him even dress for a game yet.

[Carlos Danger]

I guess that means more Hummell :) That isn't entirely a bad thing to have him out there with the likes of LaVine and Shabazz.

I got a fever. And the only prescription is more Hummell.