Pups vs Nuggets G4 GDT

[Coolbreeze44]

Ant was MJ in this game, no question about it. And I can't question our defensive intensity. I thought we left it all out there on the floor. But again, it felt like we had to be letter perfect to have a chance and we couldn't reach that level. Every time we had a chance to really make a run it was sabotaged by a stupid pass, offensive foul, or rushed shot.

I no longer think we will win the series but it's far from over. You never know what's going to happen in sports, it's why the bookies make so much $$ and Vegas thrives. I don't believe Denver can beat us 4 times in a row so i see this going 7 now. It's just a shame that we had such a stranglehold on things and let it get away.

[Crazysauce]

I agree with a lot that was said already. Towns proved he is still mentally incompetent. Gobert has done next to nothing. There was a time early in the game where they scored on I think 12 straight possessions and like 16 of 17. We can blame hot shooting but I have seen this team get after it on defense. Game 2 may be a high bar but we need that type of intensity. Its unacceptable a team that hangs its hat on its defense to let a team shoot around 60 percent in consecutive games. The team really let Ant down tonight. I agree with Lip and believe you need to move Rudy and Kat. Also I would like to see Garza get some minutes.

[Phenom]

I've said it a few times this year. To beat the Wolves it takes great shooting. The Nuggets did that the last 2. If Wolves can keep the pressure on long enough the numbers should start to sway.

[Yosimar]

Jokic can get his, Jamal can make some impossible shots but when Aaron Gordon goes 11/12 against you, it’s just not your night.

[ItsJustSoSab]

we havent lose 3 in a row all year. are we really gonna start now?

Weren't we 10-0 after double digit loses before today? Anything is possible in MN sports

[Lipoli390]

Ant was MJ in this game, no question about it. And I can't question our defensive intensity. I thought we left it all out there on the floor. But again, it felt like we had to be letter perfect to have a chance and we couldn't reach that level. Every time we had a chance to really make a run it was sabotaged by a stupid pass, offensive foul, or rushed shot.

I no longer think we will win the series but it's far from over. You never know what's going to happen in sports, it's why the bookies make so much $$ and Vegas thrives. I don't believe Denver can beat us 4 times in a row so i see this going 7 now. It's just a shame that we had such a stranglehold on things and let it get away.

I agree on all points, Cool. My one small caveat is that Rudy played far too many minutes without the necessary defensive intensity. My friend at the game with me, who loves Rudy, noticed the same thing. I think his lack of consistent intensity was at the root of his 5 turnovers. As terrific as the Nuggets were tonight, getting the necessary intensity from Rudy tonight would have put the Wolves in a position to possibly win the game. Same thing if KAT had made fewer dumb plays or simply shot the ball better. I remain dumbfounded by how KAT makes the game harder for himself offensively by over-dribbling and turning decent shots into really, really difficult ones.

[Coolbreeze44]

Were the Wolves playing chess in getting the #3 seed?

[TheGrey08]

As much as they were hustling on defense tonight, one thing I noticed is situations where guys helped too quickly, the wrong guy helped/rotated or too many guys slid to help leading to easy/easier shots. That wasn't happening in game 2.

At the end of the day they lost by 8 in a game DEN shot way over their average (with an insane HT buzzer beater) while MN missed key FTs, had some key turnovers and cold shooting from KAT/NAW. It may have felt like they needed to be perfect, but it was still only 8 point game. DEN had an 8 point swing with Ant's on/off and MN gave up that 8 point flurry before halftime. I still think they can pull this off.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Guys shooting well in pre-game shoot-around:

KAT
Rudy
NAW
Naz

For what it’s worth.

Morris shooting well too.

I actually think it's important. There's a big mental component to shooting, and if a guy sees the ball going through the basket in shootaround, his confidence goes up.

Meh. These guys have made many thousands of shots. It's more rare for them to miss...

Maybe more at the youth, HS or adult rec levels. But even then, I see it all the time. Heck, I can recall games from my distant past where either I was hot and then got cold... or vice versa.

[FNG]

Guys shooting well in pre-game shoot-around:

KAT
Rudy
NAW
Naz

For what it’s worth.

Morris shooting well too.

I actually think it's important. There's a big mental component to shooting, and if a guy sees the ball going through the basket in shootaround, his confidence goes up.

Meh. These guys have made many thousands of shots. It's more rare for them to miss...

Maybe more at the youth, HS or adult rec levels. But even then, I see it all the time. Heck, I can recall games from my distant past where either I was hot and then got cold... or vice versa.

Ok. smart guy...then explain why KAT, Rudy, and NAW all shot so well during the ga...um, never mind.