Minnesota Sports Forum

One down, three more to go. This is the second game of what should be a four-game winning streak. The Wolves are still playing through their offensive/shooting struggles, but they came alive a bit in the second half last night, especially Anthony Edwards in the fourth quarter. Consider the following splits for the Wolves offense:

First Half: 16-42 (38.1 FG%), 2-18 (11.1 3P%), five assists

Second Half: 25-40 (62.5%), 8-18 (44.4 3P%), 15 assists

I'd like to see that momentum roll over into tonight's game against the Spurs. San Antonio has lost three straight and sit at a 4-10 record on the young season. This team is not good and has no business beating the Wolves considering the differences in premium talent.

This is the second night of a back-to-back for Minnesota, obviously, but I'd like to see a double digit win here even with tired legs. This game should be decided by the halfway mark in the fourth quarter.

Give me 6-9 heading into Saturday's game against Memphis...

Get out to an early lead, grow it in the 3rd, then bring in the end of bench guys. And with this team it could be the Spurs that do it instead of the Wolves. 50/50 shot!

Until the last game, the Spurs had a positive scoring differential this season despite being 4 - 9...

But this should be a scheduled loss for them. This is the road trip they're on...

LA
LA
MIN

Then back home to SA for three days off.

This team is 0-16 in their last 16 games that are the 2nd of a back to back. You can almost guarantee a loss tonight, especially since we won last night. We know from experience that rather than building off of wins and gaining confidence, this team tends to let down instead.

Q12543 wrote:This team is 0-16 in their last 16 games that are the 2nd of a back to back. You can almost guarantee a loss tonight, especially since we won last night. We know from experience that rather than building off of wins and gaining confidence, this team tends to let down instead.

You just don't understand.

The Wolves beat a middling team that had a terrible shooting night on the last day of an extended road trip.

They deserve to take a game or two off after that one. Celebrate. Party. Settle.

Q12543 wrote:This team is 0-16 in their last 16 games that are the 2nd of a back to back. You can almost guarantee a loss tonight, especially since we won last night. We know from experience that rather than building off of wins and gaining confidence, this team tends to let down instead.

1-16 after tonight, Q. What you're saying is true, but we've reached a breaking point with this team. Tonight, they answer the call against an uninspiring Spurs team.

Camden wrote:

Q12543 wrote:This team is 0-16 in their last 16 games that are the 2nd of a back to back. You can almost guarantee a loss tonight, especially since we won last night. We know from experience that rather than building off of wins and gaining confidence, this team tends to let down instead.

1-16 after tonight, Q. What you're saying is true, but we've reached a breaking point with this team. Tonight, they answer the call against an uninspiring Spurs team.

Yeah, they have to win tonight. Q, this team doesn't look anything like Wolves teams we saw last season, so I'm not sure the 0-16 means much. They defend much better, but shoot and share the ball much worse...not sure previous history is relevant with this strange team because they look totally different to me. I do know that every player the Spurs have on their roster taller than 6'9" will be out tonight while the Wolves will suit up 4 guys 6'9" or taller, and Drew Eubanks will be playing out of position at center...no excuses to get outrebounded tonight. And after a 2 game stretch of facing teams at full strength, the Wolves continue to have great scheduling luck with Poeltl out...he leads the Spurs in rebounds, blocked shots and PER while also averaging 15 a game. The NBA schedulers really want the Wolves to win again, and I think they comply and easily cover the way-too-low 2-point spread.

FNG wrote:

Camden wrote:

Q12543 wrote:This team is 0-16 in their last 16 games that are the 2nd of a back to back. You can almost guarantee a loss tonight, especially since we won last night. We know from experience that rather than building off of wins and gaining confidence, this team tends to let down instead.

1-16 after tonight, Q. What you're saying is true, but we've reached a breaking point with this team. Tonight, they answer the call against an uninspiring Spurs team.

Yeah, they have to win tonight. Q, this team doesn't look anything like Wolves teams we saw last season, so I'm not sure the 0-16 means much. They defend much better, but shoot and share the ball much worse...not sure previous history is relevant with this strange team because they look totally different to me. I do know that every player the Spurs have on their roster taller than 6'9" will be out tonight while the Wolves will suit up 4 guys 6'9" or taller, and Drew Eubanks will be playing out of position at center...no excuses to get outrebounded tonight. And after a 2 game stretch of facing teams at full strength, the Wolves continue to have great scheduling luck with Poeltl out...he leads the Spurs in rebounds, blocked shots and PER while also averaging 15 a game. The NBA schedulers really want the Wolves to win again, and I think they comply and easily cover the way-too-low 2-point spread.

It is absolutely incredible how they have frittered away the front end of their schedule. Tons of home games. Key players hurt for the other team. Minimal back to backs. Nevertheless, the culture of losing is in this franchise's bones and very hard to exorcise.

They have really dug a big hole in two ways. One is being multiple games under .500. The second is that given their difficulty of schedule headed into January, they needed some padding built in early on. They have 4 home games in January! So I'm afraid their season is already in jeopardy.

Q12543 wrote:

FNG wrote:

Camden wrote:

Q12543 wrote:This team is 0-16 in their last 16 games that are the 2nd of a back to back. You can almost guarantee a loss tonight, especially since we won last night. We know from experience that rather than building off of wins and gaining confidence, this team tends to let down instead.

1-16 after tonight, Q. What you're saying is true, but we've reached a breaking point with this team. Tonight, they answer the call against an uninspiring Spurs team.

Yeah, they have to win tonight. Q, this team doesn't look anything like Wolves teams we saw last season, so I'm not sure the 0-16 means much. They defend much better, but shoot and share the ball much worse...not sure previous history is relevant with this strange team because they look totally different to me. I do know that every player the Spurs have on their roster taller than 6'9" will be out tonight while the Wolves will suit up 4 guys 6'9" or taller, and Drew Eubanks will be playing out of position at center...no excuses to get outrebounded tonight. And after a 2 game stretch of facing teams at full strength, the Wolves continue to have great scheduling luck with Poeltl out...he leads the Spurs in rebounds, blocked shots and PER while also averaging 15 a game. The NBA schedulers really want the Wolves to win again, and I think they comply and easily cover the way-too-low 2-point spread.

It is absolutely incredible how they have frittered away the front end of their schedule. Tons of home games. Key players hurt for the other team. Minimal back to backs. Nevertheless, the culture of losing is in this franchise's bones and very hard to exorcise.

They have really dug a big hole in two ways. One is being multiple games under .500. The second is that given their difficulty of schedule headed into January, they needed some padding built in early on. They have 4 home games in January! So I'm afraid their season is already in jeopardy.

Wow, the Wolves really do play down to their opponents level. Lotto here we come!!!

Jakob Poeltl is cleared to play tonight.