Wolves vs Kings GDT: umm....just win

[AbeVigodaLive]

Wow. Sacramento is terrible.

No plan. No direction. No leadership.

I'm not overly optimistic about the Wolves. But I'm more confident that they at least have a plan.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

We have a chance to win 12 out of 13 games over a stretch. Wolves have won five of their last six games. Upcoming opponents: DEN, NYK, DET, TOR, MIL, CHA, SAC.

Sota's about to go on a run.

The way they have been playing recently it's not inconceivable that they could go 13-3 in March...schedule is that soft. If they do, April is going to be interesting. I'd love to drive up to Oakland if that game against GS on April 14 is relevant.

Shabazz not as effective last night, but I still saw some things that I liked. I liked his defense when he was guarding Williams. Derrick tried to take him inside a couple times, but Shabazz showed he is strong enough to body up a PF...very impressive. The other thing I like is the way he attacks the offensive boards. JJ never looks at him when they're on the court together, so he has to search for points elsewhere. And when he senses a shot is about to go up, he's heading to the boards. It's like he thinks every offensive rebound should be his. Shabazz's game is never going to be pretty, but he is going to get a lot of ugly muscle points if he is given regular
minutes.

It looked like bazz got actually scouted this game. He's still very far away. Can't seem to drive without getting an offensive foul. Can't really shoot. Also have to get back on D after his shot

Alex...any chance that you are actually Rick Adelman? :)

[TAFKASP]

BTW, the post all-star klunk-o-meter has the wolves tied with Phoenix for 8th place at 48-34. No lotto pick and our playoffs begin with a one game tie-breaker with Phoenix!

In classic Timberwolves fashion they will miss the playoffs and their pick will win the lottery for Phoenix who does make the playoffs!

Pretty sure if the Timberwolves win the lottery and get any of the top 3 picks they keep it. They only lose it if the pick is 14 or higher. At least that is my understanding.

Yeah, you're right, the pick positioning is post lottery. Good thing because I was thinking if my scenario played out I would simply stop following the Wolves!

[The Rage Monster [enjin:8010341]]

BTW, the post all-star klunk-o-meter has the wolves tied with Phoenix for 8th place at 48-34. No lotto pick and our playoffs begin with a one game tie-breaker with Phoenix!

In classic Timberwolves fashion they will miss the playoffs and their pick will win the lottery for Phoenix who does make the playoffs!

Pretty sure if the Timberwolves win the lottery and get any of the top 3 picks they keep it. They only lose it if the pick is 14 or higher. At least that is my understanding.

Yeah, you're right, the pick positioning is post lottery. Good thing because I was thinking if my scenario played out I would simply stop following the Wolves!

With the wolves luck I'm leaning towards finishing 13th but then the 14th place team wins one of the first 3 picks

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

BTW, the post all-star klunk-o-meter has the wolves tied with Phoenix for 8th place at 48-34. No lotto pick and our playoffs begin with a one game tie-breaker with Phoenix!

I didn't think I was going to have to prepare a playoffs spreadsheet, Tim, but the Wolves' recent success convinced me to put one together on this rainy LA day. We obviously have different models. because I have fewer wins for the Wolves, but.............like you I have them tied with the Suns for the eighth spot :shock: . I have the Wolves and the Suns at 46 wins, and the Grizzlies one game back with 45.

I'm not positive about this, but I don't think there would be a playoff between the Suns and Wolves if they ended up in a tie for the 8th spot. Instead, I think head-to-head record is used to break the tie. I suspect that we both have the Wolves winning the home game against the Suns three weeks from tonight, and if they do, that would put them in the playoffs...OMG!!!!!!

We will have a better idea next week if our respective models are accurate. We should be beating the Knicks, Detroit and Toronto as the Suns are losing to the Thunder, Clippers and Warriors, and that pulls us within 2 games of them! And then we catch up to them in April when they lose 5 in a row to OkC at home and NO, Spurs, Memphis and Dallas on the road...brutal schedule.

How bizarre that we are in the playoff hunt with the way this season has gone!