So the Woofs end up with the 3 seed and get to face the one team that destroyed them every game.
Baby steps. 😉
Layman's terms for "good enough to keep fans interested"
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
They had a good run lol
Wolves: YEAH! WE COULD GET THE #1 SEED TODAY!
The result:
While it was a cute "The Wolves could get the 1 seed" story on paper, OKC played a team that played 1 starter and Denver played a team that played 0 starters. Dallas was locked into the 5 seed so they rested all their guys. And Memphis has been out of the playoffs for 4 months.
Meanwhile the Wolves played a PHX team desperate for a win to try to get out of the play-in tournament.
The Wolves came out extraordinarily flat (IIRC they had 19 first half turnovers) and the Suns came out looking for blood. They got it.
I didn't really like any of the scenarios for the Wolves in the playoffs. The Suns have given us fits all 3 times we played them. If they were the #1 or 2 seed they'd have played a team I didn't really want to see anyways (because that would have meant we won yesterday which would have kept PHX in the play-in). The play-in teams would have been PHX, LAL, and Golden State. None of those teams are super appealing for a Minnesota team in the playoffs.
Hopefully Finch can utilize the time off before the series starts to figure out a way to beat the Suns because they pretty much stomped us this season.
They have one of the best records in the NBA and are getting healthier. A legit playoff team in that position shouldn't have that many 'disadvantageous' opponents in a series.
They have one of the best records in the NBA and are getting healthier. A legit playoff team in that position shouldn't have that many 'disadvantageous' opponents in a series.
I think you nailed it. The Wolves are healthy, therefore they have no excuse. It’s time to win this series.
They have one of the best records in the NBA and are getting healthier. A legit playoff team in that position shouldn't have that many 'disadvantageous' opponents in a series.
The "disadvantageous" opponents are as much about who they have (LeBron on the Lakers so you know who is getting every call that series and its LeBron and AD who are very capable of giving the Wolves fits, Steph Curry on the Warriors is the best shooter of all time). TBH as a Wolves fan I was really hoping we'd draw Golden State but that can't happen now unfortunately.
The Suns are just a really tough matchup with Durant, Booker, and Beal. Three guys that make a killing by scoring on the wing. McDaniels is an elite defensive player and Ant Edwards is very good defensively in his own right but if he's spending all his energy defensively they'll need other guys to step up offensively. It won't be an easy series. The Wolves are very capable of winning it but so are the Suns.
The Wolves won 7 more games than PHX during the regular season and I believe had winning records vs LAL and GS. Also not sure any of those teams had as many games missed by key players. Either the regular season was a mirage, there's some sandbagging going on or there's a lack of confidence in Finch.
120-95 win for the Wolves in gamee 1.
Fantastic game 1 from the Wolves. Held the lead basically throughout and answered a decent PHX run in the middle of the third with Anthony Edwards scoring 10 straight points in about 2 minutes to end the third quarter with a 20pt lead.
Jaden did a great job defensively on Booker, not giving him any easy looks. Naz and NAW were the difference makers. Big plays on both ends of the court and leading the Wolves bench to outscoring PHX bench at one point 32-8 (it finished 41-18 as teams emptied the benches at the end of the game).
Much needed to have a game like that psychologically against a team that dominated you in the regular season including in game 82.
Nice to see the TWolves shut up all the so called EXPERTS…at least for one game!
This could go under "Simple Pleasures" but...freaked a buddy out today at work. Walked in, asked, "Dude, have you seen the news/ticker?"
"No, why?"
"ANT pulled his hammy in warmups, he's out."
"..."
"Yeah, just messing with ya. He's fine."
He just about killed me. 😀
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Phx loves to use the moving screen at the top of the 3 point line. Saw most of 1st half before heading to church and I don’t think they called once.
Keep your stick on the ice...
Anthony Edwards is so special.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
Nice to see the TWolves shut up all the so called EXPERTS…at least for one game!
Their theoretical path would be PHX, DEN, OKC and BOS so this is really their easiest series.
I think I played more defense than PHX did...and I was bartending at the time 😉
Kevin Durant looked friggin lazy...is he hurt? I used to love watching him play but good lord he looked disinterested half the time.
The Wolves looked pretty dang impressive for most of the game. They seemed to play with no fear which is great to see!
Ant is not an MVP finalist. I don't watch that much NBA so perhaps that's justified.
Ant is not an MVP finalist. I don't watch that much NBA so perhaps that's justified.
I dunno if it is "justified" or not but with only 3 finalists it is kinda rough to argue that he should be in there. All three finalists are very deserving.
Luka lead the league in points/game and was 2nd in assists/game (and averaged 9.2 rebounds/game as well). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was 3rd in points/game and was without question the best player on OKC. He was slightly better in basically every stat category than Edwards was, but Edwards also has more of those "MVP moments" than SGA does IMO, so it is more of a toss-up. I can't be too upset with SGA getting the finalist over Ant. Both of them are incredible talents that had great seasons.
Ultimately the MVP is basically a 2 horse race IMO. It's Jokic or Luka, and it's probably heavily stacked toward Jokic.
Statistically the edge goes to Luka (his season was silly good, 33.9 PPG, 9.8 APG, 9.2 RPG while shooting almost 49% from the field and over 38% from 3pt range) but Jokic doing what he does from the position he plays makes him the favorite IMO. He's already got a couple and I would bet on him winning it again if I was in Vegas. But Luka's season was incredible.
The Wolves win game two 105-93
Jaden McDaniels was the high scorer with 25 points on 10 of 17 shooting (2 for 4 on three pointers).
Ruby Gobert and Mike Conley tied for 2nd with 18 points. Gobert was 6 of 8 from the field and 6 of 7 from the free throw line. Mike Conley was 7 of 13 shooting (3 for 6 on three pointers).
Edwards had 15 points, and Towns had 12 points.
The Wolves have held the Phoenix Suns (who have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal) to 95 and 93 points in games 1 and 2 winning by 25 points and by 12 points.
The Wolves win game two 105-93
Jaden McDaniels was the high scorer with 25 points on 10 of 17 shooting (2 for 4 on three pointers).
Ruby Gobert and Mike Conley tied for 2nd with 18 points. Gobert was 6 of 8 from the field and 6 of 7 from the free throw line. Mike Conley was 7 of 13 shooting (3 for 6 on three pointers).
Edwards had 15 points, and Towns had 12 points.
The Wolves have held the Phoenix Suns (who have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal) to 95 and 93 points in games 1 and 2 winning by 25 points and by 12 points.
Huge game from Jaden, and much needed. KAT had three 1st quarter fouls and sat the entire second quarter. The Wolves closed the first half on a 6-0 or 7-0 run to cut the PHX lead to 1, which was huge. To play the entire second quarter without KAT and while Ant was struggling and finish down by 1 point had to have been a big boost for the Wolves.
Guys like Jaden and NAW have been stepping up huge so far this series defensively on KD, Booker, and Beal who torched the Wolves in the regular season.
Two more games to go, but the Wolves have to feel pretty good now. Especially after Grayson Allen re-injured his ankle. That makes an already not deep team in PHX even thinner and the Wolves bench has been crushing PHX.
Still a series to play, but it's so bizarre to see a MN pro franchise play like they mean it in the playoffs. What a refreshing start.
Wolves looking like a world beater team. PHX is good but our persistent defense is killing them
MN:
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Ants footwork...he's so EXPLOSIVE 🧨
After at least a decade - probably closer to two - of futility with that franchise, how Minnesota sports would it be for them to break the string of 33 years without a city or state's pro team playing in their league championship game?
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
After at least a decade - probably closer to two - of futility with that franchise, how Minnesota sports would it be for them to break the string of 33 years without a city or state's pro team playing in their league championship game?
AHEM...MN Lynx would like a word with you.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Anthony Edwards sure is having a lot of fun.
FYP…After at least a decade - probably closer to two - of futility with that franchise, how Minnesota MENS PRO SPORTS would it be for them to break the string of 33 years without a city or state's pro team playing in their league championship game?
I’m in the camp of… if it’s not the MLB, NBA, NFL or NHL, it doesn’t count.
Though I’m 110% all for women sports and keeping it a women sport(s). And I’ll just leave it at that.
Keep your stick on the ice...
I concur, love what the Lynx achieved, particularly fond of what UMD Men’s hockey achieved…but the 33 year & counting DROUGHT is in reference to the 4 Major Pro Sports with franchises in MSP.I’m in the camp of… if it’s not the MLB, NBA, NFL or NHL, it doesn’t count.
Though I’m 110% all for women sports and keeping it a women sport(s). And I’ll just leave it at that.
SWEEP!!!! SWEEP!!! SWEEP!!!
Wolves win game four 122-116
So much for the Suns being a bad match up for the Wolves!!!
Edwards with 40 points on 13 of 23 shooting (7 of 13 on three pointers) and 7 of 10 on free throws.
Towns with 28 points on 11 of 17 shooting (4 of 6 on three pointers) and 2 of 3 on free throws.
Wolves out rebound the Phoenix 44-33 offense rebounds were 17-10.
That tomahawk jam by Edwards with 2:12 left was lights out!
I keep waiting for the wheels to fall off but the opposite is happening. PHO played a little better in each successive game but the Wolves stepped it up every time.
That's history, folks. The 2024 Timberwolves are the first team in Minnesota's major pro sports history to sweep a best-of-7 series. Before this, the Wolves, Twins, Wild, North Stars, and yes, the Mpls. Lakers, had combined for 60 7-game series — with none winning via sweep.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Kevin Durant is in position to try to protect the rim but then quickly realizes I got no shot to block an ANT dunk and gets out the way so he doesn't get posterized.
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch is feared to have a torn patellar tendon in his knee on late game collision during Game 4 win in Phoenix, sources say. Brutal. (reported by The Athletic, reposted by Mark Rosen)
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
How about them Wolves! Do it for Finchy!!
Bring on Denver.
Hope Edward’s ok too, looked like in the final minute or so he’s got a little ankle problem he’s playing through.
When the Minneapolis Lakers were playing the only round that was best of 7 was the finals.
The Western Division playoffs (semifinals and finals) were both best of 3. If the Minneapolis Lakers would have had first and second round best of 7 series they would have had quite a few four game sweeps instead they had a ton of two game sweeps.
They won the title 5 of 6 years (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954).
My father got to sit on the bench as a kid for some games at the Minneapolis Amory. My grandfather worked for the Lakers.
He also works for the Twins. There is a picture of my grandfather stomping out a small grass fire before one the 1965 World Series games he should have let it accidently burn Sandy Koufax's leg maybe it would have affected his pitching. I kid I kid.
So the Woofs end up with the 3 seed and get to face the one team that destroyed them every game. a team they are clearly better than and will likely sweep.
Fixed your post. 😀
I didn't really like any of the scenarios for the Wolves in the playoffs. The Suns have given us fits all 3 times we played them. If they were the #1 or 2 seed they'd have played a team I didn't really want to see anyways (because that would have meant we won yesterday which would have kept PHX in the play-in). The play-in teams would have been PHX, LAL, and Golden State. None of those teams are super appealing for a Minnesota team in the playoffs.
Golden State got eliminated in the play in so it was the play out for them.
The LA Lakers finally won a playoff game yesterday to avoid getting swept.
The Suns were clearly over matched in the series losing by an average of 15 points per game (25, 12, 17, and 6).
The Wolves liked these scenarios because they are clearly better than all three teams.
I am aware of the Lakers, etc, but facts are still facts. 😉When the Minneapolis Lakers were playing the only round that was best of 7 was the finals.
The Western Division playoffs (semifinals and finals) were both best of 3. If the Minneapolis Lakers would have had first and second round best of 7 series they would have had quite a few four game sweeps instead they had a ton of two game sweeps.
They won the title 5 of 6 years (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954).
My father got to sit on the bench as a kid for some games at the Minneapolis Amory. My grandfather worked for the Lakers.
He also works for the Twins. There is a picture of my grandfather stomping out a small grass fire before one the 1965 World Series games he should have let it accidently burn Sandy Koufax's leg maybe it would have affected his pitching. I kid I kid.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I am aware of the Lakers, etc, but facts are still facts. 😉When the Minneapolis Lakers were playing the only round that was best of 7 was the finals.
The Western Division playoffs (semifinals and finals) were both best of 3. If the Minneapolis Lakers would have had first and second round best of 7 series they would have had quite a few four game sweeps instead they had a ton of two game sweeps.
They won the title 5 of 6 years (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954).
My father got to sit on the bench as a kid for some games at the Minneapolis Amory. My grandfather worked for the Lakers.
He also works for the Twins. There is a picture of my grandfather stomping out a small grass fire before one the 1965 World Series games he should have let it accidently burn Sandy Koufax's leg maybe it would have affected his pitching. I kid I kid.
True and it is an interesting fact was just providing context which is what engineers do. BTW The Minneapolis Lakers also never won a game (regular season or playoffs) against the Phoenix Suns. 😀
Gee... I wonder why that never happened.BTW The Minneapolis Lakers also never won a game (regular season or playoffs) against the Phoenix Suns.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
Kevin Durant is in position to try to protect the rim but then quickly realizes I got no shot to block an ANT dunk and gets out the way so he doesn't get posterized.
ANT even got smacked on the head finishing that dunk, no call of course LOL. Once he gets more calls on his drives there will truly be no stopping him.
I don't watch much regular season NBA, but this has been a fun team to witness these past 4 games. Imagine a local pro team playing not to lose in the playoffs.