Minnesota Sports Forum

This one scares me, and my only hope is that the Wolves play the way they are capable. The problem is this...the Spurs excel at areas that we are weak in, which makes for a really tough matchup. The obvious first area is shooting. The Spurs rank second in shooting percentage, and third in 3-point percentage. The fact that the Wolves rank dead last in defensive FG%, and near the bottom in defending threes, makes shooting a ridiculous matchup. The other huge difference in these two squads is depth. The Spurs have 10 players with a PER 15 or higher, and eight of those average at least 20 minutes a game. That is serious depth. The Wolves on the other hand have 4 players with a 15 or higher PER.

One thing the Wolves have going for them tonight is the absence of Splitter. He's the only center on the roster, and this forces Duncan to play a lot of minutes at center and something called Jeff Ayres to start at PF. The Spurs have not looked very good in the three games Splitter has been out, with two wins over terrible Milwaukee and Toronto and a 10-point loss at home to Indiana. Tiago is not a great player, but the ripple effect of him not playing is large. I suppose Duncan has to guard Pek, and Pek is one of the best at getting his defender in foul trouble. It's important that the Wolves go at Duncan right from the start. If they can get him in foul trouble, the Spurs get really small, and Adelman can match up with guys like MaM and Dante who can contest the three better than Pek and Love. If we can get Timmy in foul trouble, we have a chance to steal one here. Tall order, though, because Duncan is very disciplined in avoiding fouls.

In any event, it should be an entertaining game.

Coin flip in terms of whether we win or not. Both teams played Wednesday so rest can't be used as an excuse. Splitter's out for them. Budinger's out for us. Injuries shouldn't be an excuse either. So we're even there.

I will say, though, if Minnesota can win tonight, it gives me much needed confidence that this team could do something in the playoffs. Yes, it's just one win, but playoff teams beat the Spurs. That's the benchmark of success these days (beating the Spurs and Heat).

Hopefully we see an efficient outing from Martin, unlike his performance last game. Love and Pek should, SHOULD, dominate the inside tonight. Rubio against Parker will be the position matchup to watch for me. Tough assignment for Ricky, but he's up for it. I hope Pek hedges more often on the P&R or else Tony P's gonna have mid-range J's for days.

FEED PEKOVIC PLEASE.

We got the two early fouls on Timmy...just what the doctor needed. Should be a lot of offensive rebounding opportunities.

IDK what's gotten into Ricard, but i love it.

Is this Rubio shooting a mirage or the new normal? I like it a lot!!

Rubio's jumper is looking really confident

Barea is 100% predictable in that he'll dribble for the entire clock then drive for a bad layup

Not sure if i would've taken Ricky out when he had the hot hand...

Nice first quarter. Would have been better if 25% Leonard hadn't lucked out on two threes.