Minnesota Sports Forum

sjm34 wrote:I think this is a win if we focus on two things. Contesting perimeter shots, and more important, rebounding the BB. A big part of that is being physical with Faried. It takes him completely out of the game when you continually put a body on him. I would like to see how Bazz does against him, but using a guy like Rudez or Payne would likely work as well.

I don't like a Rudez/Faried matchup...Damjan is too soft and Faried would beat him up inside. But if KG and Belly struggle with Kenneth, I wouldn't be opposed to Payne battling him for awhile...his length and wild activity might frustrate him.

You are so correct about rebounding and contesting the perimeter being keys to tonight. The Wolves are struggling on the boards, but there are signs that they are improving on defending the perimeter. They're going to need that, because I think Denver made more threes than Houston in their opener :shock: .

Unfortunately, I will be DVRing this game again to watch later.

Hmm.. If we win, I may have to continue DVRing games and watching them later to keep the win streak alive!

m4gor wrote:

TXviking wrote:Hopefully Wiggins back is okay and ready to go. Conversely, did Mudiay's 11 turnovers have anything to do with his hamstring issue that forced him out of Denver's last preseason game?

We really need to setup the rebounding and create the turnover to have a chance at pulling this one out. We have been out-rebounded (offensive and defensive) the last 3 preseason and LA game. Maybe more of Bazz might swing the rebound game a bit?

Those TOs look terrible in the statline, but few of them were bit too harsh, some close offensive foul call, TO when he clearly didnt have control of the ball yet .. few of them came with 15+ lead at the end of a game, at one point he struggled a bit tho, so they played Jameer at PG with Mudiay off ball at SG .. His shot looke much better than i remember nice arc, nice spin, smooth release .. maybe it was fluke, maybe he did put a lot of work into that with some good shooting coach, future will tell us more

Thanks for that insight, m4gor. But remember, Mudiay also turned the ball over at an alarming rate in the preseason too...more TOs than assists I believe. Most rookie PGs have trouble protecting the ball, but I think Mudiay struggles even more than most. Let's hope Rubio can frustrate the heck out of him.

btw. Leuvergne was the guy i was really impressed with, he added like 40 pounds of muscle, nailed three pointer and looked like legit nba big man

Their starting PG turned the ball over to the tune of double digits and they still crushed the Rockets. They are going to dominate the boards and turn those second chances into 3's while we're scrambling defensively. We have nobody that can effectively keep Faried off the boards. 110-95 Denver wins big. The Mudiay v Ricky matchup goes both ways. Mudiay is much better defensively than anything the Lakers have at point guard so I expect a pretty big drop off from Ricky in the scoring column.

don't forget Denver's win over Houston was with Houston short Dwight Howard. So their rebounding edge (big on the defensive side, but lost on the offensive side) could be misleading.

98-92 Wolves win. Houston is a lock for the playoffs. This is nothing for them, but something the nuggets think is special. I see us bringing them back to earth. 3's and Frees!

Well, this is good news. At least it is not a "game time decision" or anything. If Wiggins were not able to play, I suspect Bazz would get the start, and combo guard Zach would see more minutes at SG.

Timberwolves PR ?@Twolves_PR 38s39 seconds ago
Sam Mitchell tells the media that Andrew Wiggins will play tonight. He came into today listed as probable with upper back spasms. #Twolves

Alan Horton ?@WolvesRadio · 8m8 minutes ago
Mitchell says after shootaround that Wiggins (back) is playing tonight vs. Nuggets.

longstrangetrip wrote:

sjm34 wrote:I think this is a win if we focus on two things. Contesting perimeter shots, and more important, rebounding the BB. A big part of that is being physical with Faried. It takes him completely out of the game when you continually put a body on him. I would like to see how Bazz does against him, but using a guy like Rudez or Payne would likely work as well.

I don't like a Rudez/Faried matchup...Damjan is too soft and Faried would beat him up inside. But if KG and Belly struggle with Kenneth, I wouldn't be opposed to Payne battling him for awhile...his length and wild activity might frustrate him.

You are so correct about rebounding and contesting the perimeter being keys to tonight. The Wolves are struggling on the boards, but there are signs that they are improving on defending the perimeter. They're going to need that, because I think Denver made more threes than Houston in their opener :shock: .

Faried man we probably don't have an answer for that guy and it kinda sucks. Hopefully our length can bother him. If not oh well weather that storm and win in other areas.

LST have you gotten your Rudez shirt yet? lol