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.
It took KD less than a split second to channel his inner Detective Murdoch....
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Durant has played lazy since he left Golden State...
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Apparently Ant has looks that kill but actually taunting is fine
The combo of Harlan and Miller calling games is so good
This might be the biggest win in T-Wolves history, second round on the road against the defending champs and MVP. It took every MN player having a good game to beat Denver, this is gonna be a long series.
Jokic looked tired down the stretch from battling KAT, Naz and Gobert. Throw in Ant going off and we seem to be a bad matchup for DEN, especially if our bigs stay out of foul trouble.
The Wolves win game 1 in Denver 106-99. The are now 5-0 in the playoffs winning by an average of 13.4 points per game.
Anthony Edwards had 43 points on 17 of 29 shooting (3 of 7 on three pointers) and 6 of 6 on free throws.
Karl Anthony Towns had 20 points on 8 of 13 shooting (2 of 4 on three pointers).
Naz Reid (coming off the bench) had 16 points on 7 of 11 shooting (2 of 4 on three pointers).
Mike Conley had 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting (3 of 4 on three pointers) with 10 assists.
Rudy Gobert had 13 rebounds.
This might be the biggest win in T-Wolves history, second round on the road against the defending champs and MVP. It took every MN player having a good game to beat Denver, this is gonna be a long series.
Jokic looked tired down the stretch from battling KAT, Naz and Gobert. Throw in Ant going off and we seem to be a bad matchup for DEN, especially if our bigs stay out of foul trouble.
I was thinking the same thing.
1. 2004 Rd 2 Game 7 vs Sacramento (KG was insane in this Game)
2. 2004 WCF Game 2 Win over Lakers to make series 1-1
3. Yesterday
Hungry Wolves play hard…
Keep your stick on the ice...
The legs feed the wolf. I think Ben Franklin said that. 😉
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.
Keep your stick on the ice...
No it was Simon LeBon.
Here is the list of guys who 22 years or younger have score 40+ points in back to back playoff games.
Kobe Bryant
Anthony Edwards
That was the greatest half of basketball I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. Absurd defense.
This team is absolutely locked in with each other. Incredible to watch. Denver has no idea what has hit them
6 down, 10 to go.
The Wolves win game two 106-80. 80 points? 😯 The Wolves led the league in defense this season and their defense have been even better in the playoffs.
Held them to 80? Damn.
The excitement leading up to game three on Friday night is going nuts. If the Wolves play like they have the first 6 games of the playoffs in games 3 & 4 Target Center is going to be on FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was wondering how nuts it would be in the area with the Twins as well, but they’ll be in Toronto.
I'm on Bourbon Street 4 Jamesons in and I just watched the Wolves humiliate Denver in Denver!? What a time to be alive.
Jamal Murray will be facing a huge HUGE fine at bare minimum for his antics tonight, with many pundits calling for a suspension.
First he throws a heatpad at the referee during play (you can see it fly in during the clip and see KAT almost stepping on it, which could have created a serious risk of injury), this alone is a suspension-worthy offense. Then he goes to complain to the ref later and walks away making the same money gesture Gobert made that got him hit with a $100,000 fine.
https://twitter.com/BadSportsRefs/status/1787683239378772283
Denver was reeling early, coach comes flying onto the court in the refs face, no technical for that? They’re so frustrated, I don’t normally take much from Barkley but “best defense he’s ever seen”. 20 years of long losing seasons this is good stuff!
Jamal Murray will be facing a huge HUGE fine at bare minimum for his antics tonight, with many pundits calling for a suspension.
First he throws a heatpad at the referee during play (you can see it fly in during the clip and see KAT almost stepping on it, which could have created a serious risk of injury), this alone is a suspension-worthy offense. Then he goes to complain to the ref later and walks away making the same money gesture Gobert made that got him hit with a $100,000 fine.
https://twitter.com/BadSportsRefs/status/1787683239378772283
Good Lord the first tweet shows Ref #8 looking right at it and he did nothing. Also the DEN coach threw a tantrum in the middle of the court, and Jokic got away with an elbow to the nards of (KAT?), ANT got a TF for looking at someone and it's absurd the level of treatment Denver is getting. More hilarious is seeing Nuggets fans on X claim the refs have it in for them.
Wolfpac in da HOUSE!!!
I can't find the tweet anymore but I saw a clip that was an absolute perfect description of the way the Wolves have played defense this postseason. They were up 25ish, Jamal Murray turns to go up court after an in-bound pass and turns around and there is Nickeil Alexander-Walker standing there smiling 3/4ths of the way up the court waiting to trap Jamal Murray.
The Wolves, even when they are ahead by 20+ points, are not letting Denver take a breath. That type of attitude has absolutely gotten under the Nuggets skin and we saw it boiling over last night.
Exceptionally well played game last night. Every defensive rotation, every single time down the court.
Also saw a couple clips from Anthony Edwards in the post-game press conference that I feel need some highlighting. This kid is special. He's the best kind of teammate you can play with. An absolute monster on the court, but just as good a teammate and leader off the court.
He cut off an answer to an entirely different question because he wanted to make sure to highlight the exceptional job Jaden McDaniels is doing despite only having 5 points in the whole series. Ant knows he's getting all the national media love right now and is using that spotlight to highlight guys like Jaden who don't fill up the box score very often but are without question HUGE factors for the way the Wolves have dominated this postseason. Love to see that.
https://twitter.com/NadineBabu/status/1787717511640703253
He also immediately went to bat for KAT in this exchange too-and you can tell KAT appreciates the hell out of it immediately.
https://twitter.com/NadineBabu/status/1787724972363817121
If we're getting players with attitudes like that, maybe I should start paying attention to basketball again.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
iirc the Wolves lost a handful of games during the regular season when they had huge leads. It would appear they've learned from that and are doing their best to prevent it from repeating itself in the post-season.
I haven't been a big NBA fan since the late 90's (after being a huge a mild then a huge one after McHale was drafted) but I am happy for the franchise, happy for more longtime and hardcore fans, and actually watched some of yesterday's game.
Also impressive in that I saw quite a bit of criticism during the regular season that the Wolves too often whined about bad officiating. And yet despite what sounds like more bad reffing in this series that they have not melted down over it. Great sign of increased maturity.
this team, when healthy, was built for playoff basketball now that Ant has ascended as a scorer. also the only guy not scheduled to be back next year is kyle anderson.
In the NBA you have to whine is how you get the refs to look your way later. All the stars and coaches have done it for decades. Star players especially do it...it's like soccer. Some of the best teams is my lifetime whined like they were being wrongfully arrested.
Honestly the key to all of this, and I posted it last year, was KAT accepting his role as the #2 guy behind Ant. KAT has all the tools, he just isn't the top guy on a team. With Ant being the star KAT can get his 20 and 10, block some shots and be the defensive force that is the spine of the squad. If those two stick together this is not going to be a fluke year we are really building something.
In the NBA you have to whine is how you get the refs to look your way later. All the stars and coaches have done it for decades. Star players especially do it...it's like soccer. Some of the best teams is my lifetime whined like they were being wrongfully arrested.
Honestly the key to all of this, and I posted it last year, was KAT accepting his role as the #2 guy behind Ant. KAT has all the tools, he just isn't the top guy on a team. With Ant being the star KAT can get his 20 and 10, block some shots and be the defensive force that is the spine of the squad. If those two stick together this is not going to be a fluke year we are really building something.
its that and the long perimeter defense of McDaniels and NAW (plus Ant). This team can switch anything on the floor which forces you to try play iso ball which doesn’t work as well, especially when they get more rest and can play more physical because of the playoffs
In the NBA you have to whine is how you get the refs to look your way later. All the stars and coaches have done it for decades. Star players especially do it...it's like soccer. Some of the best teams is my lifetime whined like they were being wrongfully arrested.
Honestly the key to all of this, and I posted it last year, was KAT accepting his role as the #2 guy behind Ant. KAT has all the tools, he just isn't the top guy on a team. With Ant being the star KAT can get his 20 and 10, block some shots and be the defensive force that is the spine of the squad. If those two stick together this is not going to be a fluke year we are really building something.
I agree. KAT is an easy target, but he has played outstanding basketball. And he is a team player.
NAW and Jaden's defense has been flat out absurd also.
Anthony Edwards is a born leader. He knows how to pump up his teammates. He knows how to get them to play with high energy. He knows how to get them to feel appreciated and respected. Constantly shouting out his teammates AND coaching staff. I am running out of words on how to describe him.
After many years of only having lukewarm interest in the Wolves (lost a lot of interest when KG left), I decided to get into them again at the start of this season. It's been a lot of fun... but I never imagined this.
The Minnesotan in me refuses to get overly excited though. I've suffered through way too many pro sports wounds since the 1970s to get too far over my skis. One game at a time. I do like the Wolves attitude though... they seem to realize they haven't done jack squat. And even when they do win, they seem to keep going about their business in a level headed fashion. Kudos to the coaches.
That defense last night was amazing. Just squashed the life out of Denver. Keep the foot on the gas!
He also immediately went to bat for KAT in this exchange too-and you can tell KAT appreciates the hell out of it immediately.
https://twitter.com/NadineBabu/status/1787724972363817121
Ant listens to the question and before the question is finished he pats KAT on the leg as if to say "I got you."
One of the biggest unsung heroes on this team is Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He was essentially a throw-in to make salaries work when the Wolves traded DLo to the Lakers and got Conley here (he had something like 20 DNP-Coach decision before the trade happened). He has been absolutely spectacular off the bench defensively and his 3 point shooting has been a backbreaker for teams. He has made 14 3pt shots in the 6 postseason games while playing suffocating defense. He's just been a pest for opponents to deal with and he's typically exceptionally smart with the ball in the offensive end, taking his shot when he is open but making quick decisive passes to the open man when he's not (IIRC he had like 15-16 assists in the Suns series and like 2 turnovers).
This team is so deep and so talented that they can match up defensively with basically anyone. It is very fun to watch.
He also immediately went to bat for KAT in this exchange too-and you can tell KAT appreciates the hell out of it immediately.
https://twitter.com/NadineBabu/status/1787724972363817121
Ant listens to the question and before the question is finished he pats KAT on the leg as if to say "I got you."
This dynamic is all very Pippen and Jordan -esque
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
One of the biggest unsung heroes on this team is Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He was essentially a throw-in to make salaries work when the Wolves traded DLo to the Lakers and got Conley here (he had something like 20 DNP-Coach decision before the trade happened). He has been absolutely spectacular off the bench defensively and his 3 point shooting has been a backbreaker for teams. He has made 14 3pt shots in the 6 postseason games while playing suffocating defense. He's just been a pest for opponents to deal with and he's typically exceptionally smart with the ball in the offensive end, taking his shot when he is open but making quick decisive passes to the open man when he's not (IIRC he had like 15-16 assists in the Suns series and like 2 turnovers).
This team is so deep and so talented that they can match up defensively with basically anyone. It is very fun to watch.
watching him have the huge smile on his face when Murray catches the ball in his own backcourt is a joy to watch. Just love how much this team enjoys playing defense and feeds off each other on that end.
kudos to Connelly to building this team and the vision coupled with the team buying into each other
Let's hope it ends better than that!
He also immediately went to bat for KAT in this exchange too-and you can tell KAT appreciates the hell out of it immediately.
https://twitter.com/NadineBabu/status/1787724972363817121
Ant listens to the question and before the question is finished he pats KAT on the leg as if to say "I got you."
This dynamic is all very Pippen and Jordan -esque
Let's hope it ends better than that!
He also immediately went to bat for KAT in this exchange too-and you can tell KAT appreciates the hell out of it immediately.
https://twitter.com/NadineBabu/status/1787724972363817121
Ant listens to the question and before the question is finished he pats KAT on the leg as if to say "I got you."
This dynamic is all very Pippen and Jordan -esque
Four-peat???
😉
Or maybe three three-peats?Let's hope it ends better than that!
He also immediately went to bat for KAT in this exchange too-and you can tell KAT appreciates the hell out of it immediately.
https://twitter.com/NadineBabu/status/1787724972363817121
Ant listens to the question and before the question is finished he pats KAT on the leg as if to say "I got you."
This dynamic is all very Pippen and Jordan -esque
Four-peat???
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1787985085678907891
Not surprised, but very disappointed that this is the precedent the league is setting.
If somebody slips on that and gets hurt they'd be suspending him but since he got lucky nobody stepped on it all he has to do is write a check for like 1/5000th of his contract this year. That'll definitely teach him a lesson.
Edit to add: Seeing reports he's getting fined the same $100,000 that Rudy got fined for making the money sign earlier this season. Which Murray also did last night.
Rudy wins his 4th Defensive Player of the Year award. Well earned.