Minnesota Sports Forum

I think I'll keep teeing up the GDT's until I lose one...unfortunately this could be my first loss.

I see this as a classic trap game. Denver isn't considered a playoff team, and both Nurcik and Chandler are out tonight. But the Wolves are in the middle of a 3-game stretch where the bookends will be very emotional (opening night, and first home game) and this is Denver's home opener...so I see Denver with the emotional advantage tonight. Plus Denver is coming off an impressive 20-point win in Houston, so they may be a better team than many thought.

I don't know how to evaluate Denver's young backcourt of Harris and Mudiay. They are both terrific defenders and shooters, and Denver fans are very excited about them. But with all the raving about Mudiay, he still turned the ball over 11 times in Houston, and had more turnovers than assists in the preseason. He is an exciting ballplayer, but Rubio should be able to force a lot of turnovers tonight. Harris is a guy many of us liked coming out of the draft, and he has won the starting SG spot by playing tough defense and hitting 40% of his threes in preseason. But his matchup with Wiggins will be interesting , because Wig has 5 inches in height on him and should be able to post him up inside...especially since Denver doesn't have a true rim-protecting center.

A lot of reasons why the Wolves should go to 2-0, but Vegas has them a 4 point underdog, and this time I think they have it right. The Wolves struggle with the altitude and coming down from an emotional opener, and Nuggets prevail 100-96.

Yep, keep teeing these up until we lose, is that Gary Harris you're talking about? I think we get another win tonight, we're not intimidated by Jack Nicholson and Arsenio Hall and I'm assuming the cast of Entourage was probably courtside too. Wiggins and Lavine get more shots to drop tonight and we come back home 2-0. Also, when's your boy Pek Smash coming back?

I don't know, LST. I have this feeling that we will parlay the mojo from the LA win into a pretty easy win tonight. It's almost a trap game for Denver! They had a big win in Houston and are feeling very good about themselves. They'll be juiced up for their home opener against the lowly Timberwolves. They have gotta be thinking about a 2-0 start. And that's a trap!

I agree with Doug's take. After crushing Houston, Denver has this penciled in a win and is focused on beating OKC on Sunday and starting the season 5-0.

BizarroJerry wrote:Yep, keep teeing these up until we lose, is that Gary Harris you're talking about? I think we get another win tonight, we're not intimidated by Jack Nicholson and Arsenio Hall and I'm assuming the cast of Entourage was probably courtside too. Wiggins and Lavine get more shots to drop tonight and we come back home 2-0. Also, when's your boy Pek Smash coming back?

Yep, Gary Harris. Had a terrible rookie season, but the Denver fans love him so far this season and he's starting. I know he's a very good defender, but give me 6'9" against 6'4" any day.

Pek has no discernible limp and appears to be pain free, and will be back on the court for 20 MPG on December 1. I know everyone loves our new toy Bjelica, but I think the return of Pek necessitates some PF minutes for KAT, and both Gorgui and Belly will lose some minutes. It's all good though if Pek can be Pek. Take that to the bank!

60WinTim wrote:I don't know, LST. I have this feeling that we will parlay the mojo from the LA win into a pretty easy win tonight. It's almost a trap game for Denver! They had a big win in Houston and are feeling very good about themselves. They'll be juiced up for their home opener against the lowly Timberwolves. They have gotta be thinking about a 2-0 start. And that's a trap!

Fair point, Tim...that's what I'll be hoping for. I think we may have another nail biter coming, but at least it starts 90 minutes earlier...and that's good for the East Coasters and those of us (ahem) of a certain age!

I dont think that it works like that, they will prepare well for today and this game will be really tough. I watched HOU-DEN game today from VOD and Denver played well, classic Denver with lots of energy, hustle, no open shots unless you work hard for them. Btw. home opener is probably more important win than other game untill playoff time.

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.

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?

sorry sjm, was typing my thoughts and didn't see yours. rebounding and bazz

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