It's Beat LA Week- GDT

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

The Timberwolves have us living in a Bizarro World this season...often winning games we expect them to lose, and losing games we expect them to win. I don't think anybody here (other than alex and abe :) ) would have predicted losses to both Orlando and Portland at home, and similarly I don't think many expect us to beat the Clippers tonight. But we have two things going for us...the Wolves' propensity to do the opposite of what we are expecting, and the possible absence of Chris Paul and JJ Redick. Both missed the last game against Orlando (where Smilin' Wes scored 21 off the bench to spark a victory) and I haven't heard anything about their status tonight. My guess is they don't play, and the Wolves bounce back from two disappointing losses and win. The Clippers are a very good team, but Rivers and Prigioni are not Chris Paul, and they are not as daunting missing their two best 3-point shooters.

Let's go 2-0 against hated L.A.!

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Frankly, I haven't felt comfortable with ANY game, as this is, well, the T-Wolves. So it's fair to say I was in shock when we won those road games against Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami. That's not one freak-ish road win, but three! And then we blow two 17-point leads against Portland!?! Aaaaargh!

If Redick and Paul are out, our lives become immensely easier. But again, this is the T-Wolves we're talking about and it feels like we can lose to any given team on any given night, especially at home. I fully expect someone from the Clippers who has been in a shooting slump to break out of it tonight. Crawford for 50? Could happen. Rivers for 34? Absolutely. Players in shooting slumps loooooove coming to the Target Center.

[60WinTim]

Yeah, the discrepancy between home and road record is just bizarre. Second best road record in the league, yet only two wins at home. The ability to win on the road is encouraging. And I guess the inconsistency at home is largely due to youth and inexperience. Tonight's game completes a quarter of the season. A win would be very encouraging.

Despite losing to Portland, we should all be happy that Sam let the future of this team play in crunch time. There is only one way they can gain experience - let them play...

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yeah, the discrepancy between home and road record is just bizarre. Second best road record in the league, yet only two wins at home. The ability to win on the road is encouraging. And I guess the inconsistency at home is largely due to youth and inexperience.Tonight's game completes a quarter of the season. A win would be very encouraging.

Despite losing to Portland, we should all be happy that Sam let the future of this team play in crunch time. There is only one way they can gain experience - let them play...

Not to nit-pick, but isn't this the exact rationale we would use for not being able to win on the road?

Whatever the reason may be, it's, as you say, bizarre and not easily explainable.

[60WinTim]

Nit-pick away! Because it is not easily explainable. The encouraging part is the Wolves have played well enough to win on the road, and get big leads, too. Just need a bit more consistency to win more often. Stein just posted this stat:

Marc Stein ?@ESPNSteinLine 32m32 minutes ago
Most losses in the NBA this season after leading by at least 10 points: Brooklyn has six of them; Philly and Minnesota tied with five each

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Nit-pick away! Because it is not easily explainable. The encouraging part is the Wolves have played well enough to win on the road, and get big leads, too. Just need a bit more consistency to win more often. Stein just posted this stat:

Marc Stein ?@ESPNSteinLine 32m32 minutes ago
Most losses in the NBA this season after leading by at least 10 points: Brooklyn has six of them; Philly and Minnesota tied with five each

Gaaaaawd. That is such a bad stat. I thought this is where "veteran leadership" would actually help us, but it obviously hasn't. I include Rubio in that group as well since he is most certainly a veteran.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Looks like Chris Paul is out.

Less Paul... more Crawford and Stephenson is good for the Wolves' chances.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Let DeAndre get open in the post and HACK HACK HACK!!!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Let DeAndre get open in the post and HACK HACK HACK!!!

After a great start in hacking against Drummond (I think), I sense that Sam has underutilized this strategy this year. With Paul out, I'm not quite as concerned about getting into the bonus early (although Griffin will hurt you with free throws too). Don't let Jordan shoot anything but free throws and have KAT, G, KG and Payne foul him as often as they can. Heck, have Rudez go out there and grab him at the end of halves.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Looks like Chris Paul is out.

Less Paul... more Crawford and Stephenson is good for the Wolves' chances.

I would normally agree with you, but I just don't trust this team enough. Anyone at anytime could potentially go off on us. Your post on Aminu was instructional. Funny how he suddenly makes all his corner 3's when he plays the Wolves!