Minnesota Sports Forum

Starting the season with the 2-game roadies in Florida is usually a tall task. For whatever reason(s), the Wolves passed the test with flying colors. And now we flow right into a 5-games-in-7-days stretch, which means it bookends with back-to-backs. The first back-to-back is against two tough Eastern teams, tonight hosting the Raptors and tomorrow in Cleveland. We get the hump-day break hosting the Warriors, and then close out the 7 day stretch (and October) with another back-to-back hosting the Clippers and traveling to San Antonio. This new look Wolves team is being thrown into the fire right off the bat!

November will seem like a breeze, which includes a rare 8-game home stand, and the only back-to-back is a home-and-home against Portland!

Anyway, we get our home opener tonight against the Raptors, who we frequently struggle with. But we frequently struggled with the Magic, so maybe that trend will continue.

There are just so many players I love seeing on the floor. It is damn fun to watch this team. Go Wolves!

I saw a Reddit Post that if the Wolves win tonight and the Nets lose, the Wolves will relinquish the near 11 year stand with the worst winning percentage in NBA history.

Why is the game a pick'em tonight? Somebody not playing?

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:20 pm Why is the game a pick'em tonight? Somebody not playing?

ESPN has the Wolves by 1.5 points. Raptors with Leonard are a really good team. Probably our toughest test, yet. Plus not everyone is sold on the Wolves...

60WinTim wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:26 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:20 pm Why is the game a pick'em tonight? Somebody not playing?

ESPN has the Wolves by 1.5 points. Raptors with Leonard are a really good team. Probably our toughest test, yet. Plus not everyone is sold on the Wolves...

I was surprised to see it at even and I put down a big number.

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:28 pm

60WinTim wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:26 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:20 pm Why is the game a pick'em tonight? Somebody not playing?

ESPN has the Wolves by 1.5 points. Raptors with Leonard are a really good team. Probably our toughest test, yet. Plus not everyone is sold on the Wolves...

I was surprised to see it at even and I put down a big number.

I agree with Tim, Cool…Toronto was good last year and they’ve added kawhi who’s playing like, well, kawhi. They’ve won their first two games by 30+ and 20+, although they’re shooting like crap beyond the arc…let’s hope their shooting woes continue. I actually thought preseason that we would be dogs in our first 4 games, but Vegas has noticed us and have us laying 1 1/2 against a very good team. Let’s go!

FNG wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:49 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:28 pm

60WinTim wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:26 pm

ESPN has the Wolves by 1.5 points. Raptors with Leonard are a really good team. Probably our toughest test, yet. Plus not everyone is sold on the Wolves...

I was surprised to see it at even and I put down a big number.

I agree with Tim, Cool…Toronto was good last year and they’ve added kawhi who’s playing like, well, kawhi. They’ve won their first two games by 30+ and 20+, although they’re shooting like crap beyond the arc…let’s hope their shooting woes continue. I actually thought preseason that we would be dogs in our first 4 games, but Vegas has noticed us and have us laying 1 1/2 against a very good team. Let’s go!

Someone said this week that Kawhi and Barnes were going to be the best 1-2 punch in the league this year. But we've got Jaden.

Yes we do. I might take kawhi and Barnes as the best 2-man duo, but I’ll take our backcourt as a better offensive duo.

FNG wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 4:00 pm Yes we do. I might take kawhi and Barnes as the best 2-man duo, but I’ll take our backcourt as a better offensive duo.

if you were to look at them from just a overall player ranking then I'd have Kawhi and Edwards 6th and 7th respectively. I'm not sure where I'd consider Barnes and Ball overall but both top 25 I think, with an edge to Barnes
So on its face they look like a better duo.

A more holistic analysis that considers each players strengths, weakness, and how they compliment each other then I think it's fair to say the explosive combination of Ant and Ball will outperform their Toronto counterpart this season.
I don't think there is really an upper limit to their offense, and I don't think you can say the same about Kawhi and Barnes even tho they're both great defenders. I think Barnes caps their upside overall

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 5:23 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2026 4:00 pm Yes we do. I might take kawhi and Barnes as the best 2-man duo, but I’ll take our backcourt as a better offensive duo.

if you were to look at them from just a overall player ranking then I'd have Kawhi and Edwards 6th and 7th respectively. I'm not sure where I'd consider Barnes and Ball overall but both top 25 I think, with an edge to Barnes
So on its face they look like a better duo.

A more holistic analysis that considers each players strengths, weakness, and how they compliment each other then I think it's fair to say the explosive combination of Ant and Ball will outperform their Toronto counterpart this season.
I don't think there is really an upper limit to their offense, and I don't think you can say the same about Kawhi and Barnes even tho they're both great defenders. I think Barnes caps their upside overall

The plus for Ball is how he elevates other teammates, not just ANT. Oh, and BTW, Leonard is out tonight with left knee swelling...