Camden wrote:Forgot to mention that Chris Duarte didn't play tonight so add this to the lucky wins category for the Wolves. Ho-hum.
In all seriousness, close your eyes and pick a starter to give the game ball to. They were all great. Five game winning streak, baby! BOOOO!
McDaniels for me. Only got credited for 4 blocks, but I counted 5 at least and I didn't even see the whole game. Shut down Haliburton and made a few good assists. KAT and DLO not far behind.
Good win. Would have blown them out if we didn't give up 23 turnovers (to their 10). Definately something to work on, but will get better as chemistry develops. Good to see Slo Mo starting to fit in. And even Rivers contributed.
- That was fun. Everybody played well... except for Nowell.
- It looks like the team made a concerted effort to get the ball to Gobert early.
- Russell played a very nice floor game, scoring when needed, moving the ball, and when his guy doesn't have a head of steam... he played really solid on-the-ball defense a few times.
- Austin Rivers ALWAYS gets 20+ mpg. He's played for 7 different other teams over the past decade... and averages 24 mpg for his career. That includes 7 seasons in the playoffs. Personally, I think he's pretty limited and should get about 1/2 of that on a very good game. But he's probably better (e.g., grittier and unselfish) to get more than the 6 mpg he's gotten with the Wolves. He might cut into McLaughlin's minutes, but Nowell might be more deserving of riding the pine. Rivers is the anti-Nowell right now and that's probably what the team needs.
- Towns continues to pass the ball well.
- McDaniels did a great job vs. Haliburton.
- Gobert was All NBA caliber.
- Edwards will also be sticky with the ball, but he's good enough to overcome it.
- Wolves only shot 22 three pointers... made 8. Towns only took one three pointer. It's probably a fluke, because that amount isn't sustainable in 2023.
- Too many turnovers... but who cares. Very good win. And maybe a quick two-game winning streak away from Target Center... to come back with a Sunday matinee vs. the defending champs is exactly what this team (and fanbase) needs. If they beat Charlotte... I expect the crowd to be LOUD on Sunday.
