WCSF: Timberwolves @ Nuggets GM 7
by humdrum · 50 things on Twos
- Trying this out for live notes during the game
- Cheering for T-Wolves, but I like both of these teams and think the winner of this has the best chance to win it all out of all the remaining teams.
- Q1
- Ant needs to force the issue just a tad bit more when they show him the sideline
- Having Conley come set the screen from the baseline was perfect.
- Attracted KCP and Gordon as extra defenders, almost triple teaming Ant, resulting a wide open three for Conley in the corner.
- Wolves can’t help off Murray when they double Jokic. Any other defender can help down, but leaving Murray wide open like that is too easy.
- Q2
- Ant needs to at least touch the ball early in the shot clock to get the Denver defense moving and open things up for others. He can’t be getting the ball with just 6 seconds left.
- While a low scoring game should favor Minnesota, the vibe of this game doesn’t feel great.
- Oi… yeah down 11 now and Minnesota just doesn’t have the energy. Ant and McDaniels need to make some things happen on the defensive end.
- Denver baiting Minnesota into going to Gobert in the post. It might feel like an advantage, but it prevents Ant and KAT from getting into any sort of rhythm.
- I’m okay with both McDaniels and Conley giving up an open three as they tried (and missed) steals. Shooting those gaps is how they can continue to build energy on the defensive end.
- Oof, that and-1 jumper from Murray was killer.
- That drive is exactly what Ant needs to do! Get to the basket, force the issue, get fouled, get blocked it doesn’t matter.
- These last three minutes are huge. If Minnesota can crack it to single digits, they’ll go into halftime confident. If Denver can stretch it to 15+ it’s going to be a lot harder.
- KAT can’t pass up those threes when he gets it at the top of the key off a double team on Ant. He’s the only one hitting this game.
- An Ant / Conley fast break that should’ve cut it to 11, ended up resulting in an easy Murray bucket to stretch it to 15 at half. That’s been the entire game.
- Q3
- Shooting that long three is not what I mean KAT should do off of Ant doubles…
- If the Wolves can’t turn things around quickly they are screwed. Nuggets have already stretched it to 20…
- Easy buckets and stops.
- McDaniels is the only one knocking shots down off the doubles. All stems from Ant getting to the paint though. That’s the key.
- Good challenge by Minnesota. Really looked like KAT had his hand on the ball before Joker raised up.
- Wow. I think that’s the wrong call. He got ball and held it long enough for a jump ball before additional contact was made.
- Yeesh.. bad miss by Ant… probably his best look of the game too…
- That right there is why Chuck is wrong and they can’t take Gobert out. If the Wolves are going to get back into it, it’s going to start on the defensive end and then getting out and having Ant run.
- If Minnesota needs to pull Gobert out so they can be more successful in the half court, they’ve already lost.
- Ant going quickly up the court is working well. And McDaniels continues to know those threes down. Cut it to 9!
- And now Conley finally hits one off the double team swing!
- “This all started at the defensive end for Minnesota” -Reggie Miller
- Yes.
- Good drive by Ant. I don’t care Gordon swiped it. Every time he has one on one coverage he just needs to use that first step and go. Every time.
- 4 point game! Once again, Ant getting out on a defensive stop.
- I think all of Ant’s points are off fast breaks.
- I don’t like that three for Ant, but damn. Good for him to cut it to one and finally make something in the half court.
- Q4
- Probably won’t have too many notes here as I lock in.
- Going to see most of these guys play the entire quarter though.
- And McDaniels continues to be the MVP of the game on both ends.
- Surprised Alexander-Walker is getting time at all in this fourth quarter. If they can hold with Conley out that’ll be huge.
- Oh boy! I stepped away to start dinner and Wolves are up ten!
- I don’t know who was guarding Murray in the first half, but Ant on Murray in the second half was huge. Even though he wasn’t scoring as much he found a way to contribute and get his team back in.
- Outro
- Incredible
- I think they are my favorite to win it all now.