Minnesota Sports Forum

While some here might diminish the overall importance of NBA coaching, I think it is highlighted in these unique 2021-style back to backs with the same opponent. Phoenix can't be happy after blowing a double digit loss last night and may be looking for some changes tonight. We can expect a lot more attention on KAT and Ant after their 83 point explosion. It will be interesting to see if Finch goes status quo, or if he changes things up in anticipation of the Suns' moves.

He's a creative guy, so I suspect the latter. Phenom talked about how the Suns collapsed their defense on Ant's drives because they weren't concerned about our shooters. I suspect they may do that even more tonight, which should give us even more open 3-point looks. To counter this, I think Finch needs to start Juancho at PF instead of the non-shooting Vando, and either replace Layman with Nowell or tell Sunshine that Ant and KAT will be looking for him and he better knock down the open 3.

I also suspect that the Suns will pay even less attention to Rubio after his quiet night last night. Ricky has looked for his offense more on those nights when he has been left alone, and scored in double figures the previous three games. He's been hitting his threes at about the league average the past 10 games, and a 35% NBA three point shooter will burn you if you don't guard him. I see Ricky back in double figures tonight.

The Suns will be missing Cameron Johnson again tonight, and his absence was notable last night...he is a terrific defender. We're lucky he is out again.

Finally, even though Culver has been a disappointment this year, he may return tonight...and a healthy, rested body could be helpful if legs are tired...at least on the defensive end.

How about two in a row!!!!

Not sure about a win, but I jumped on the 11 points.

This starting five is the best Minnesota has at the moment. Don't change it until D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley are back.

But yeah, unless Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards have huge games yet again, or Jaylen Nowell can step up with 20 off the bench, then I don't see the Wolves winning tonight.

Yep, I think the best guess is Finch stays with the same lineup. Layman hasn't given us much on offense, but he has surprised me with his active defense (monster convinced me the first week of the season that Sunshine was much better on D than I had thought). And Vando has to be better than he was last night...if not, he'll be on the same short leash Finch had him on last night.

Finch has really impressed me with his creativity so far this season, so I still think he has some wrinkles in mind for tonight to keep the Suns off guard even if it's not with his starting lineup. It's quite refreshing. Thibs and Saunders had very different coaching styles, but I didn't find either of them particularly creative, so Finch has been a breath of fresh air for me.

Chris Paul is the guy we should focus on early. A proud all star vet like him wont want to lose back to back to the team with the worst record. I expect him to want to control the game from the start and put us away as early as possible.

We need to be in condition and not to fold early. Both teams will have tired legs but the young bench mob of nowell, naz and Mcdaniels could be key if they can all play well tonight, we have a very good chance.

Okogie and Mcdaniels are in the starting lineup instead of Layman and Vandy

FNG wrote:While some here might diminish the overall importance of NBA coaching, I think it is highlighted in these unique 2021-style back to backs with the same opponent. Phoenix can't be happy after blowing a double digit loss last night and may be looking for some changes tonight. We can expect a lot more attention on KAT and Ant after their 83 point explosion. It will be interesting to see if Finch goes status quo, or if he changes things up in anticipation of the Suns' moves.

He's a creative guy, so I suspect the latter. Phenom talked about how the Suns collapsed their defense on Ant's drives because they weren't concerned about our shooters. I suspect they may do that even more tonight, which should give us even more open 3-point looks. To counter this, I think Finch needs to start Juancho at PF instead of the non-shooting Vando, and either replace Layman with Nowell or tell Sunshine that Ant and KAT will be looking for him and he better knock down the open 3.

I also suspect that the Suns will pay even less attention to Rubio after his quiet night last night. Ricky has looked for his offense more on those nights when he has been left alone, and scored in double figures the previous three games. He's been hitting his threes at about the league average the past 10 games, and a 35% NBA three point shooter will burn you if you don't guard him. I see Ricky back in double figures tonight.

The Suns will be missing Cameron Johnson again tonight, and his absence was notable last night...he is a terrific defender. We're lucky he is out again.

Finally, even though Culver has been a disappointment this year, he may return tonight...and a healthy, rested body could be helpful if legs are tired...at least on the defensive end.

How about two in a row!!!!

I think we will see Finchy with a quick trigger finger if Layman and Vandy aren't providing. Oh nevermind I see Jaden and Josh are starting instead.

Culver sighting

Wow Juancho.

Naz Reid handles the ball better than Wiggins