Minnesota Sports Forum

I'm going to the game tonight, so I thought I'd get this one going early. The Wolves and Blazers each lost a key wing this week in GR3 and Wes Matthews, respectively, so tonight will be a test of which team is able to overcome hardship better.

All kidding aside, I think this could be a barnburner tonight, and I'm looking for a KG-effect loud crowd to carry the Wolves home. Portland has been hot recently winning 5 in a row, and is in a dogfight with Houston for the third spot in the playoffs. That said, they do most of their damage at home and are close to a .500 team on the road. Portland is favored by 5, but I think the Wolves can steal this one tonight.

Here's what I'm looking for:

1) The Wolves played flat last game, and they need to come out differently tonight. The team leaders, Rubio and KG, need to ensure a quick start and intensity throughout the game. We need to be the better energy team tonight.
2) A bounce back game from Martin. He was terrible last game and, based on the number of shots that ended up short, still feeling the effects of the flu. He has to be better tonight.
3) Better production from our reserves. I think the key to this will be SG production. CJ McCollum lost playing time when Afflalo was acquired, but will now have to back him up with Matthews out. CJ isn't a bad offensive player, but he is an awful defender. I want to see Neal and/or LaVine light him up tonight.
4) Win the boards. Portland has been a better rebounding team than the Wolves all year, but I think the Wolves are the better rebounding team after the recent moves. We need to prove it tonight.

Should be a good one tonight.

Flip commented on Friday's Funkadelic that Shabazz is coming along quicker than expected and could be on the court within 2 weeks. Hummel and Bennett can't be that far away.

Could Flip have all his players available sometime soon?!?

And I can't believe you didn't mention Hamilton!!! We always get up for guys we haven't seen before. Of course, that Rado-whatever experience left a bad taste in my mouth...

Heard that Portland had to redo their entire scouting report, and thus game plan because GRIII is no longer here.

60WinTim wrote:Flip commented on Friday's Funkadelic that Shabazz is coming along quicker than expected and could be on the court within 2 weeks. Hummel and Bennett can't be that far away.

Could Flip have all his players available sometime soon?!?

And I can't believe you didn't mention Hamilton!!! We always get up for guys we haven't seen before. Of course, that Rado-whatever experience left a bad taste in my mouth...

Good news about Shabazz, would like to see him play some more this year. And weren't we told 2 weeks out for AB? Has it been 3 or more now? I think he may have sealed his fate with that last injury.

I expect a KG-like reception for Justin Hamilton tonight.

BizarroJerry wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Flip commented on Friday's Funkadelic that Shabazz is coming along quicker than expected and could be on the court within 2 weeks. Hummel and Bennett can't be that far away.

Could Flip have all his players available sometime soon?!?

And I can't believe you didn't mention Hamilton!!! We always get up for guys we haven't seen before. Of course, that Rado-whatever experience left a bad taste in my mouth...

Good news about Shabazz, would like to see him play some more this year. And weren't we told 2 weeks out for AB? Has it been 3 or more now? I think he may have sealed his fate with that last injury.

I expect a KG-like reception for Justin Hamilton tonight.

Hahahaha

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Flip commented on Friday's Funkadelic that Shabazz is coming along quicker than expected and could be on the court within 2 weeks. Hummel and Bennett can't be that far away.

Could Flip have all his players available sometime soon?!?

And I can't believe you didn't mention Hamilton!!! We always get up for guys we haven't seen before. Of course, that Rado-whatever experience left a bad taste in my mouth...

Good news about Shabazz, would like to see him play some more this year. And weren't we told 2 weeks out for AB? Has it been 3 or more now? I think he may have sealed his fate with that last injury.

I expect a KG-like reception for Justin Hamilton tonight.

Hahahaha

Can't wait for the video tribute and a gentlemen with his name on his chest.

60WinTim wrote:Flip commented on Friday's Funkadelic that Shabazz is coming along quicker than expected and could be on the court within 2 weeks. Hummel and Bennett can't be that far away.

Could Flip have all his players available sometime soon?!?

And I can't believe you didn't mention Hamilton!!! We always get up for guys we haven't seen before. Of course, that Rado-whatever experience left a bad taste in my mouth...

Is there something you want to tell us Tim??? :)

sjm34 wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Flip commented on Friday's Funkadelic that Shabazz is coming along quicker than expected and could be on the court within 2 weeks. Hummel and Bennett can't be that far away.

Could Flip have all his players available sometime soon?!?

And I can't believe you didn't mention Hamilton!!! We always get up for guys we haven't seen before. Of course, that Rado-whatever experience left a bad taste in my mouth...

Is there something you want to tell us Tim??? :)

Zing!!!!!!!!!!!!

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

sjm34 wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Flip commented on Friday's Funkadelic that Shabazz is coming along quicker than expected and could be on the court within 2 weeks. Hummel and Bennett can't be that far away.

Could Flip have all his players available sometime soon?!?

And I can't believe you didn't mention Hamilton!!! We always get up for guys we haven't seen before. Of course, that Rado-whatever experience left a bad taste in my mouth...

Is there something you want to tell us Tim??? :)

Zing!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yah, I work hard to be a good straight man!

60WinTim wrote:Flip commented on Friday's Funkadelic that Shabazz is coming along quicker than expected and could be on the court within 2 weeks. Hummel and Bennett can't be that far away.

Could Flip have all his players available sometime soon?!?

And I can't believe you didn't mention Hamilton!!! We always get up for guys we haven't seen before. Of course, that Rado-whatever experience left a bad taste in my mouth...

Terrific news on Shabazz, Tim...that would be great if he could play with KG a couple games this year.

Yes, there should be a huge Hamilton buzz in the stadium tonight. It might be the most new guy excitement we have felt since the arrival of ze Frenchman...Michael Gelebale.

I note that GR3 scored 29 points with 14 rebounds in his Wolves career. Here's my call for tonight. Pek gets hurt, Gorgui gets 4 fouls early, so the Hammer has to play 38 minutes...and he goes for 30 and 15 to pass Glenn in one night!