Let's Mug the Nugz- Denver/Wolves GDT

[FNG]

I've started the GDT for 2 consecutive road wins (neither of which we critics are particularly proud of), so I guess I have to start today's also. I'll be watching this one live, but I have to admit I'm not very optimistic. Denver is favored by 2 1/2, and I think they should be...their three consecutive wins over us this season says our mastery over them the past two seasons is a thing of the past.

But it would be great to steal a win today. We're dead even in the standings, so the winner moves a game ahead and into a virtual tie with Houston. That's not as meaningful to me, because my forecast has Denver finishing 4 games ahead of us (2 if we win today). I know nba.com has Denver with the toughest remaining schedule, but I see a lot of easy wins the rest of the way for them...especially with Gordon and Watson expected back this week.

Speaking of those guys though, they are both out today...that's fortunate for us because Denver is a very bad defensive team with them out. On our side, Ju is questionable with "back spasms"...I have that in quotes, because some of us here think this is more likely a mental health day if he misses than a real injury. I hope it has a positive impact, because we need the early season version of Ju if we're going to make a deep playoff run.

Do we see Kyle today? I haven't heard for sure, but I think he is with the team in Denver. If so, he will see the court today, and maybe even for significant minutes if Ju is out.

I pooh poohed the shouting match between Ant and Finchy at the end of the Clippers game because they both said it was nothing. But various podcasters disagree...I've heard a few podders say Ant ignoring Finchy's coaching at the end of the game and instead shooting with 2 (3?) guys on him calls into question who is in charge. I guess I have to admit this situation is more complicated than I thought at first, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out. I expect to see Ant in facilitation mode early in this game...there's really nobody on the Nugs who can guard him one on one with their two best defenders out, so I expect to see them throwing 2 guys at him the entire game. Let's hope he can find the open man when he's doubled.

[60WinTim]

Nah, the ANT-Finchy dust up is a nothing burger.

Thanks for taking the hit on starting the GDT! The only downside of a loss is if we don't show up and are blown out. But MAN, what an opportunity for a STATEMENT GAME the Wolves have in front of them!

I am surprised we haven't seen news on SloMo, yet. Was there something you saw that led you to believe he was with the team in Denver?

[FNG]

Nah, the ANT-Finchy dust up is a nothing burger.

Thanks for taking the hit on starting the GDT! The only downside of a loss is if we don't show up and are blown out. But MAN, what an opportunity for a STATEMENT GAME the Wolves have in front of them!

I am surprised we haven't seen news on SloMo, yet. Was there something you saw that led you to believe he was with the team in Denver?

I think it may have been on a Dane Moore pod...not conclusive, but I think I heard he is likely to be in Denver. Hope so...especially if Ju is out.

I gotta believe we show up for this one after 3 losses to these guys, but you never know. Ant and Jaden especially seem to not love early starts, so we'll have see. I assume you have this a loss in your Klunk-O-Meter?

[60WinTim]

Nah, the ANT-Finchy dust up is a nothing burger.

Thanks for taking the hit on starting the GDT! The only downside of a loss is if we don't show up and are blown out. But MAN, what an opportunity for a STATEMENT GAME the Wolves have in front of them!

I am surprised we haven't seen news on SloMo, yet. Was there something you saw that led you to believe he was with the team in Denver?

I think it may have been on a Dane Moore pod...not conclusive, but I think I heard he is likely to be in Denver. Hope so...especially if Ju is out.

I gotta believe we show up for this one after 3 losses to these guys, but you never know. Ant and Jaden especially seem to not love early starts, so we'll have see. I assume you have this a loss in your Klunk-O-Meter?

It is a loss in my conservative KOM. But as you saw, I only have the Wolves 1 game behind Denver for the end-of-season standings. A Wolves' win would be a 2-game swing!

[Edit: I have the Rockets loss to the Heat last night as a klunker. A Wolves win today would move them just 1 game behind Houston for 3rd in the KOM standings. ]

[Phenom]

Is Kyle available today? Google AI says he is but doesn't show a source.

[60WinTim]

Is Kyle available today? Google AI says he is but doesn't show a source.

Yeah, I don't think he is available today, as there is no indication he has signed a contract.

But, I see that Randle IS available today.

[Coolbreeze44]

The 2.5 line suggests we would be favored on a neutral court. Gordon and Watson being out have something to do with that but I expect a good effort from the boys today.

[mjs34]

I've started the GDT for 2 consecutive road wins (neither of which we critics are particularly proud of), so I guess I have to start today's also. I'll be watching this one live, but I have to admit I'm not very optimistic. Denver is favored by 2 1/2, and I think they should be...their three consecutive wins over us this season says our mastery over them the past two seasons is a thing of the past.

I was surprised to see them favored considering Gordon and Watson being out. We have been heavily favored in several games as of late that I thought was a mistake, so this line is not what I was expecting. They removed Julius from the injury report so it looks like he is a go. I would expect to see him on Joker if he is moving well.

[60WinTim]

Nice to see the Spurs come back down to earth.

They had been playing so well, I have this loss as a klunker for them. Maybe OKC will land that #1 seed…

[Wolvesfan21]

I saw no one started a GDT earlier, but I didn't want to take the loss.