Minnesota Sports Forum

This is the third time I've teed this up so far in the postseason. I can't imagine the Wolves facing any more adversity than they did tonight. We've just about seen it all except for the pressure of a deep run. I'm feeling good about this next one. Wolves in 5.

Wolves in six.

I will say Wolves in 5. If it doesn't, we'll probably get to experience a game 7 at home!

I need to get some sleep before I think about this too much, but Dallas is a dangerous team, and they're a different one than we saw most of the season with those new additions.

Luka looks somewhat hobbled, but he's still Luka. Kyrie has weirdly not been scoring as much, but he's been really good defensively, which is weird. And you know he can potentially get really hot. They have size with Gafford and Lively and other than Kyrie, they don't have any small players to attack defensively. They are capable of playing good defense. They can hit shots from outside. Washington and Jones Jr. have really stepped up and helped them diversify their scoring. My initial thought is that I'm not as afraid of them as I was of Denver (my "Wolves in 5" prediction was tongue-in-cheek), but I might watch a couple full games from their OKC series before weighing in on a specific prediction.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote: ↑Mon May 20, 2024 12:37 am I need to get some sleep before I think about this too much, but Dallas is a dangerous team, and they're a different one than we saw most of the season with those new additions.

Luka looks somewhat hobbled, but he's still Luka. Kyrie has weirdly not been scoring as much, but he's been really good defensively, which is weird. And you know he can potentially get really hot. They have size with Gafford and Lively and other than Kyrie, they don't have any small players to attack defensively. They are capable of playing good defense. They can hit shots from outside. Washington and Jones Jr. have really stepped up and helped them diversify their scoring. My initial thought is that I'm not as afraid of them as I was of Denver (my "Wolves in 5" prediction was tongue-in-cheek), but I might watch a couple full games from their OKC series before weighing in on a specific prediction.

Drew, You are indeed correct that Dallas is a different team and one we should not take lightly. They have a legit defense now thanks to those trade deadline acquisitions.

It shouldn't be surprising that they won the rebound battle against OKC and hurt them on the offensive glass. That will be a lot harder to do against the Wolves. They also got some pretty unusually hot shooting from PJ Washington. Just based on his career 3-point shooting and even this past regular season, I'm skeptical that he can keep it up.

I think we treat Doncic in a similar way we treated Durant, where we guard him one-on-one and just accept the fact he's going to take a lot of shots and score a lot of points. But his real super-power is "solving" defenses and getting guys easy looks. He generates a TON of open corner 3's and ally-oops for his team mates.

In watching Doncic and Kyrie play a few games against OKC, they almost never play off each other (like Jokic and Murray for example). It's "take turns" basketball with one basically resting while the other goes to work. That seems like a more straightforward defensive challenge.

I've said Wolves in 6 twice already and was wrong for both but correct that the Wolves won, so I'll take it.

Wolves in 6.

Mavs in 6.

Mavs are playing some really great ball. Is Luka better then Ant? I think most NBA fans think so. We'll see.

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon May 20, 2024 12:56 pm Mavs in 6.

Mavs are playing some really great ball. Is Luka better then Ant? I think most NBA fans think so. We'll see.

Wait, you predicted Denver over the Wolves too, so this must be a good sign!

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon May 20, 2024 1:16 pm

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon May 20, 2024 12:56 pm Mavs in 6.

Mavs are playing some really great ball. Is Luka better then Ant? I think most NBA fans think so. We'll see.

Wait, you predicted Denver over the Wolves too, so this must be a good sign!

Yes, and I took the Suns also.

I think I'll also go with Wolves in 6.

Their offense is better, but it's fairly formulaic, which I think makes is susceptible to adjustments over a series.

Their defense is good, but our defense is better.

They've got two superstars, but Luka seems a bit hobbled and Kyrie--while playing good all-around ball--is not dropping 45 point games right now. But Ant could definitely play like a superstar, and I think our talent level overall is just better than theirs.

We're bigger and we have home court.

They've got good chemistry going right now, and this series won't be easy. But we're also gelling at a good time. So many good vibes going for us.

Should be a good series.