Wolves at Nuggets R2G5

[60WinTim]

After kek's failure, I am back in the saddle putting my 4-0 playoff road winning streak on the line!

Denver played extremely well in game 4. Not only were Jokic and Murray hitting, but so many role players were hitting shots as well -- Gordon, Braun, Holiday and Jackson. Yet, despite all that, the Wolves might have won if not for a super lousy KAT performance.

So, onto game 5 in Denver. We are down to the best 2 out of 3. Can we take back the homecourt advantage?

[FNG]

In Tim we trust. The mood here is sizably different from the euphoria a week ago after we had gone up 2-0 on the road. But hey, don't despair...we have regained the most important factor in this series: Visiting court advantage! The morning line is Denver - 4 1/2, but that means nothing...the visiting team has covered the spread by at least double digits in the first 4 games.

I'm going to say we need 2 of these three things to win tonight. 3 of them would be better, but we only had one of them
in Game 4.

1) Another efficient high-scoring game from Ant

2) A "normal" performance by KAT. He averaged 22 and 8 during the regular season on 50/42/87 shooting. That's elite, and we need something resembling that tonight.

3) Rudy ending his paternity leave. He has been terrible the last two games, and our best performance of the series was the game he missed. We need one of his patented 18/14 games tonight.

[Q-is-here]

Man, these 7-game series....when you're really in it as a fan seem like they last FOREVER! We're just not used to it.

I mean, we could lose tonight yet again and STILL have a chance to win the series! Going up 2-0 to start the series really allows room for error!

In addition to the keys to victory FNG lays out, I also think the basketball shooting gods owe us one.

[FNG]

Man, these 7-game series....when you're really in it as a fan seem like they last FOREVER! We're just not used to it.

I mean, we could lose tonight yet again and STILL have a chance to win the series! Going up 2-0 to start the series really allows room for error!

In addition to the keys to victory FNG lays out, I also think the basketball shooting gods owe us one.

Yes, and I wouldn't do anything different with respect to defense on Gordon. We really need him to miss his first three tonight. If he does, the wheels will come off.

[rapsuperstar31]

In Tim we trust. The mood here is sizably different from the euphoria a week ago after we had gone up 2-0 on the road. But hey, don't despair...we have regained the most important factor in this series: Visiting court advantage! The morning line is Denver - 4 1/2, but that means nothing...the visiting team has covered the spread by at least double digits in the first 4 games.

I'm going to say we need 2 of these three things to win tonight. 3 of them would be better, but we only had one of them
in Game 4.

1) Another efficient high-scoring game from Ant

2) A "normal" performance by KAT. He averaged 22 and 8 during the regular season on 50/42/87 shooting. That's elite, and we need something resembling that tonight.

3) Rudy ending his paternity leave. He has been terrible the last two games, and our best performance of the series was the game he missed. We need one of his patented 18/14 games tonight.

When Rudy gets involved on offense he seems to do better on defense. We should make it a priority to hit him if he's open off of a pick and roll or if a player gets doubled...Rudy better catch the ball though. We missed so many opportunities to grab an an offensive rebound or tip in. We could really use Rudy scoring 10+ points on put backs.

[BloopOracle]

I really want to watch but the game is far too late for me. Hoping to wake up to some good news tomorrow morning!

[FNG]

In Tim we trust. The mood here is sizably different from the euphoria a week ago after we had gone up 2-0 on the road. But hey, don't despair...we have regained the most important factor in this series: Visiting court advantage! The morning line is Denver - 4 1/2, but that means nothing...the visiting team has covered the spread by at least double digits in the first 4 games.

I'm going to say we need 2 of these three things to win tonight. 3 of them would be better, but we only had one of them
in Game 4.

1) Another efficient high-scoring game from Ant

2) A "normal" performance by KAT. He averaged 22 and 8 during the regular season on 50/42/87 shooting. That's elite, and we need something resembling that tonight.

3) Rudy ending his paternity leave. He has been terrible the last two games, and our best performance of the series was the game he missed. We need one of his patented 18/14 games tonight.

When Rudy gets involved on offense he seems to do better on defense. We should make it a priority to hit him if he's open off of a pick and roll or if a player gets doubled...Rudy better catch the ball though. We missed so many opportunities to grab an an offensive rebound or tip in. We could really use Rudy scoring 10+ points on put backs.

The guys on Dane Moore's podcast made the same point yesterday, Cypress. They said maybe it sounds foolish to try to force the ball into a guy with such poor hands, but they need to get him more involved. Maybe an empty corner pick and roll with Conley would be effective.

[Wolvesfan21]

Man, these 7-game series....when you're really in it as a fan seem like they last FOREVER! We're just not used to it.

I mean, we could lose tonight yet again and STILL have a chance to win the series! Going up 2-0 to start the series really allows room for error!

In addition to the keys to victory FNG lays out, I also think the basketball shooting gods owe us one.

Yes, and I wouldn't do anything different with respect to defense on Gordon. We really need him to miss his first three tonight. If he does, the wheels will come off.

I was watching some replays of our defense (last two games) and we were just leaving guys wide open. I just don't like that idea. He (AG) has supreme confidence as well right now. I say stick to your man, force them to miss. Make Jokic beat us 1 on 1 (time to step up KAT Naz and Rudy). These other guys shooting 60% on 3's is not good. I'd rather make Jokic earn his shit. Our defense was straight trash the last two games really. You give them credit, but the Wolves defense for how good it was in the first 6 games was trash the last two.

[Wolvesfan21]

In Tim we trust. The mood here is sizably different from the euphoria a week ago after we had gone up 2-0 on the road. But hey, don't despair...we have regained the most important factor in this series: Visiting court advantage! The morning line is Denver - 4 1/2, but that means nothing...the visiting team has covered the spread by at least double digits in the first 4 games.

I'm going to say we need 2 of these three things to win tonight. 3 of them would be better, but we only had one of them
in Game 4.

1) Another efficient high-scoring game from Ant

2) A "normal" performance by KAT. He averaged 22 and 8 during the regular season on 50/42/87 shooting. That's elite, and we need something resembling that tonight.

3) Rudy ending his paternity leave. He has been terrible the last two games, and our best performance of the series was the game he missed. We need one of his patented 18/14 games tonight.

When Rudy gets involved on offense he seems to do better on defense. We should make it a priority to hit him if he's open off of a pick and roll or if a player gets doubled...Rudy better catch the ball though. We missed so many opportunities to grab an an offensive rebound or tip in. We could really use Rudy scoring 10+ points on put backs.

I love that when Rude gets the offensive boards and put back dunks. That just kills the other team when they cannot rebound. Big momentum.

[Phenom]

I'd like to see a few things tonight.

1. Get Ant on Murray some more, early. He has forced him into some really tough jumpers and ideally making him take tough shots in the first quarter will keep him from scorching the rest of the game.

2. If they keep putting KCP on KAT he needs to post him up and force doubles. The bulldozer drives won't cut it.

3. Time to unveil Ant-KAT pick n roll?