Can the Timberwolves end the 33 year drought?

It would be fun wouldn’t it!! I’m not even a NBA fan and watched last night.

Even I'm kinda hoping so and I'm a Nuggets fan. More accurately, I'm a life long Celtics fan who pays casual attention to the hometown team when they do well. But that was a dogfight last night. Gonna be a great series if they're all like that.

It was a good Minnesota sports story day yesterday. T-wolves and Twins with 12 in a row.

Wolfies are playing well, playing well as a team, coached well too.

They are a match-up problem for many teams with Ant, leagues best 6th man and 2 seven footers.

This should be a great series.

Last night was both a great win, and a tutorial as to why the Wolves won't break the drought.  Simply, the NBA will not allow them to.  The Wolves had to shoot 71% in the 2nd half just to win by 7 because they only attempted 12 FT the entire game.  In addition to all the uncalled fouls on the Nuggets, Ant was given a technical for just looking at a Denver player after a basket. Later, a Nugget hit a 3 and got fouled, then mimed shooting pistols.  No call. Even the announcers who almost never criticize a ref because they know where their bread is buttered mentioned the treatment Ant was getting. 

This is just the 2nd round.  Imagine what will happen if the Wolves make the finals and are going against the megabrand Celtics?

RS_Express wrote:
Last night was both a great win, and a tutorial as to why the Wolves won't break the drought.  Simply, the NBA will not allow them to.  The Wolves had to shoot 71% in the 2nd half just to win by 7 because they only attempted 12 FT the entire game.  In addition to all the uncalled fouls on the Nuggets, Ant was given a technical for just looking at a Denver player after a basket. Later, a Nugget hit a 3 and got fouled, then mimed shooting pistols.  No call. Even the announcers who almost never criticize a ref because they know where their bread is buttered mentioned the treatment Ant was getting. 

This is just the 2nd round.  Imagine what will happen if the Wolves make the finals and are going against the megabrand Celtics?

All valid points. I did see the foul on Ant for looking and Reggie Miller did comment on it. He also commented on the shooting pistols that were aimed at KAT but no foul.  And to add to your point again, what would the league and Vegas do if a Minnesota team got to the finals? It would ruin all their plans.

RS_Express wrote:
Last night was both a great win, and a tutorial as to why the Wolves won't break the drought.  Simply, the NBA will not allow them to.  The Wolves had to shoot 71% in the 2nd half just to win by 7 because they only attempted 12 FT the entire game.  In addition to all the uncalled fouls on the Nuggets, Ant was given a technical for just looking at a Denver player after a basket. Later, a Nugget hit a 3 and got fouled, then mimed shooting pistols.  No call. Even the announcers who almost never criticize a ref because they know where their bread is buttered mentioned the treatment Ant was getting. 

This is just the 2nd round.  Imagine what will happen if the Wolves make the finals and are going against the megabrand Celtics?

100%. The Wolvesneed to get everything right just to play at the same level and need to play extremely well, mistake free plus overcome the calls to win

RS_Express wrote:
Last night was both a great win, and a tutorial as to why the Wolves won't break the drought.  Simply, the NBA will not allow them to.  The Wolves had to shoot 71% in the 2nd half just to win by 7 because they only attempted 12 FT the entire game.  In addition to all the uncalled fouls on the Nuggets, Ant was given a technical for just looking at a Denver player after a basket. Later, a Nugget hit a 3 and got fouled, then mimed shooting pistols.  No call. Even the announcers who almost never criticize a ref because they know where their bread is buttered mentioned the treatment Ant was getting. 

This is just the 2nd round.  Imagine what will happen if the Wolves make the finals and are going against the megabrand Celtics?

I've never understood this point of view, either in the NBA or the NFL. You really think the NBA conspires with the refs to ensure their desired outcome?

MaroonBells wrote:

I've never understood this point of view, either in the NBA or the NFL. You really think the NBA conspires with the refs to ensure their desired outcome?

it is rather suspicious that some players get the calls and some dont ( QBs-roughing the passer, WR-PI, etc...in the NBA LeFlop-anything he thinks he can embellish to cover up his shit play ) I dont know that there is a league mandate, but there are certainly double standards. In the wolves case, particularly when it comes to Towns... well his crying and baby like tantrums over the years has led to his own shit, and some of it likely spills over at times onto his teammates.

JimmyinSD wrote:

it is rather suspicious that some players get the calls and some dont ( QBs-roughing the passer, WR-PI, etc...in the NBA LeFlop-anything he thinks he can embellish to cover up his shit play )  I dont know that there is a league mandate,  but there are certainly double standards.  In the wolves case,  particularly when it comes to Towns... well his crying and baby like tantrums over the years has led to his own shit, and some of it likely spills over at times onto his teammates.

The opening series against the Suns, Towns didn't do much complaining.  But in the opening game against Denver one play Edwards slashed into the lane and his arm was completely hacked so bad he lost the ball, no call.  And then, as has been mentioned the technical foul, on Edwards and no call on the Denver player when he got fouled by Towns.  Maybe it's home court bias and it tends to even out in the end but even the on air announcers where calling out some of the calls.

Gobert questionable for game 2...

==========================================

DENVER – The Timberwolves may be without their defensive anchor Rudy Gobert for Game 2 against the Nuggets.

Gobert will be officially listed as questionable for personal reasons, the team said, and he was not at the potion of shootaround open to reporters Monday morning.

The team did not confirm a reason why Gobert wasn't present, but earlier this season Gobert said he would miss a potential playoff game to be present for the birth of his child. Gobert posted a picture of him and his girlfriend to social media in February announcing they were expecting a child. The Wolves lead the best-of-seven series. 1-0.

During a road trip in Utah in March, Gobert was asked if he would consider missing a playoff game to be there for his child's birth. Without hesitation, he said he would.

"I don't think there's any debate to have," Gobert said then. "Coach Finch and every guy in this room – that's what I really love about our team, we have a level of human connection and empathy for one another that's really good. I think all the guys will literally tell me, don't play."

The Wolves were preparing on Monday as if Gobert would not be there for Game 2. His potential absence would alter how the Wolves defend the Nuggets. They prefer to play one of Naz Reid, Karl-Anthony Towns or Kyle Anderson one-on-one on Denver center Nikola Jokic with Gobert able to roam the paint while playing off forward Aaron Gordon, who struggles to shoot from the outside.

"It definitely changes things," point guard Mike Conley said of Gobert's potential absence. "He's a big focal point of what we do, especially defensively. Also, offensively as well, but we're a deep team and we got a lot of guys ready to step in and play for us if that's the case, and just try to get a win by any means."

Conley referenced the Wolves might have to throw some "junk" defenses at Jokic to switch up the looks they are giving him. Without Gobert, the Wolves might opt for more double teams on Jokic and scramble around to cover Denver's open shooters. It was a strategy the Wolves deployed in a March 19 loss to Denver at Target Center. The Wolves were without Gobert, Towns and Reid for that game and still almost pulled out the game in a 115-112 loss.

https://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-center-rudy-gobert-personal-reasons-shootaround-playoffs-denver-nuggets/600364051/

Greylock wrote:

The opening series against the Suns, Towns didn't do much complaining.  But in the opening game against Denver one play Edwards slashed into the lane and his arm was completely hacked so bad he lost the ball, no call.  And then, as has been mentioned the technical foul, on Edwards and no call on the Denver player when he got fouled by Towns.  Maybe it's home court bias and it tends to even out in the end but even the on air announcers where calling out some of the calls.

Towns reputation is what it is because of how hes been his entire career, Finch has made strides in correcting that attitude and corresponding effort, but that will take time.

I am absolutely kicking myself for not recording tonight's game (I work evenings). At Denver, no Gobert, and the Wolves hold them to 80 points?!?

As for the refs... FTs tonight: Denver 13-18, Wolves 9-14. Let that sink in. The Wolves won by 26 and still had fewer FT's than Denver. For the series: Denver 29-38 Wolves 18-26.

RS_Express wrote:
I am absolutely kicking myself for not recording tonight's game (I work evenings). At Denver, no Gobert, and the Wolves hold them to 80 points?!?

As for the refs... FTs tonight: Denver 13-18, Wolves 9-14.  Let that sink in.  The Wolves won by 26 and still had fewer FT's than  Denver. For the series: Denver 29-38 Wolves 18-26.

I watched it, heck of a defensive performance from the Timberwolves without Gobert.  Naz and NAW were great off the bench offensively AND defensively.  McDaniels was a beast on defense.  They stole Jokic and Murray's souls last night with smothering defense, hustle, and quick hands.  I think they had like 12 blocks and 10+ steals last night as a team.  Not to mention Denver had multiple shot clock violations...  Wow.

Ant is a superstar and arguably playing like the best player in the league this playoffs.  This team looks hungry.

BOOM

What a game. Jamal Murray is a punk though.

This could’ve ended KAT season. This is suspension worthy without a doubt. League has to review this. pic.twitter.com/T8iyZnphlF

— OM3AR (@KILLIO_JALEN) May 7, 2024

Super happy for the Twolves and their fans....That was some unbelievable D last night. 

Vikergirl wrote:
What a game. Jamal Murray is a punk though.

This could’ve ended KAT season. This is suspension worthy without a doubt. League has to review this. pic.twitter.com/T8iyZnphlF

— OM3AR (@KILLIO_JALEN) May 7, 2024

It was a dangerous thing to do.  I don't know what the penalty would be but it sure looked like he threw it out there to try to get KAT to step and slip and get injured.  Almost took out his own teammate who stepped on it.

Throwing that heat pack was just unacceptable by Murray but what can you say about the no call on coach Malone storming the court and in the refs face.  Should have been a technical at least, he should have been thrown out of the game for that.  Now back to the Target Center to finish them off.

Greylock wrote:
Throwing that heat pack was just unacceptable by Murray but what can you say about the no call on coach Malone storming the court and in the refs face.  Should have been a technical at least, he should have been thrown out of the game for that.  Now back to the Target Center to finish them off.

Yeah that's straight up garbage. Even in the video about Malone you can see Ant saying that's a tech

Greylock wrote:
Throwing that heat pack was just unacceptable by Murray but what can you say about the no call on coach Malone storming the court and in the refs face.  Should have been a technical at least, he should have been thrown out of the game for that.  Now back to the Target Center to finish them off.

I always thought it was the purple color but it seems like it's Minnesota