Playoffs or Play-in? Wolves at Suns GDT

[60WinTim]

Are the Wolves a solid playoff team? Or are they destined to be a play-in team, battling a handful of teams for the last playoff spot?

A loss tonight would drop them into a 6th place tie with the Suns, and the Suns would own the tie-breaker. Golden State will be right on the Wolves heels, creating a three team bubble fighting each other for that last playoff spot and avoiding the play-in. Of course, this early in the season that kind of narrative is meaningless. But the narrative that the Wolves can't beat good teams would be strengthened, with the risk of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy!

But a win would create a little cushion for the Wolves between the playoffs and play-in. It would put them in a bubble of teams vying for homecourt in the first round of the playoffs. It would help nip the "can't beat good teams" narrative in the bud. So, while a win is not essential this early in the season, it would help lay the foundation for a very promising season.

The Wolves have a bunch of players that are performing at, or near, their career bests. Hopefully, Jaden is back tonight. ANT has struggled lately, but I have decided to cut him some slack. Finch has recently donned ANT with the label "lead guard" in the Donte/ANT backcourt. I think ANT is going through a bit of an adjustment in that subtle role change, even if it is mostly mental. It should work itself out sooner or later.

[FNG]

This is a big game tonight. I thought the Suns would struggle this year after moving on from Durant, but they are playing much better than late last season. Mark Williams has added toughness in the paint and will be a big challenge for Rudy tonight. And as unlikable as he is, Dillon Brooks is another reason their defense is so much better this season.

Wolves are favored by 3 1/2, and I think they finally beat a team with a winning record. Booker and Brooks are 20+ point scorers, but both are below the league average in 3-point shooting. They are getting their points in the paint, so we are going to need an aggressive defensive game from Rudy. Allen and Green have been their most accurate 3-point shooters this season, so it's helps that they will both miss this game. But we have to watch Royce O'Neal beyond the arc...he's starting with two guys hurt, and is making 42% of his treys on high volume.

Here are my keys to getting a big victory:

1) Hopefully Jaden plays and is effective.
2) 25+ minutes from Clark hounding Booker
3) Get Rudy involved on offense...let's go to 6-1 when he gets 7+ shots
4) Ant needs to regain his shooting success beyond the arc

If we can get at least 3 of those factors, we can win this game and move to 11-5...and then likely 12-5 when we get woeful Sac-town next.

[Coolbreeze44]

Looks like Jaden is in. Let's go boys!

[FNG]

Looks like Jaden is in. Let's go boys!

Terrific news...this is a big one tonight, and I'll be watching.

[60WinTim]

I know the Suns have played a weak schedule, but they look like a pretty good team. Nice defense.

[FNG]

I know the Suns have played a weak schedule, but they look like a pretty good team. Nice defense.

Williams and Brooks have changed the identity of the team. This will be a tough game, so nice to have the lead early.

[60WinTim]

Gotta like the early foul trouble for Phoenix.

[FNG]

Gotta like the early foul trouble for Phoenix.

I think Rudy has drawn 4 fouls on their 2 best defenders...getting us into the bonus is one of Rudy's strength's kek mentioned this week.

[60WinTim]

ANT has not learned a thing. We can’t hit shots and the Suns are hitting theirs.

[Q-is-here]

I know the Suns have played a weak schedule, but they look like a pretty good team. Nice defense.

Williams and Brooks have changed the identity of the team. This will be a tough game, so nice to have the lead early.

Yeah, way more ball pressure than I remember in past matchups with them. Brooks, Dunn, Gillespie all getting into the grill of Wolves perimeter players.