ClutchFans Game Thread: Timberwolves @ Rockets 1/16/2026

Feels like wolves did a lot of fast breaks. A team's fast break is also normally a counter to opponent's offensive glass crashing.

Focus of transitional defense by Rockets in 2nd half. And gauge if Wolves get tired.

 

JD might not be the answer as starter but he's a lot better than Holiday and Okogie at point.

 

And he still gonna get where he going

 

when you hit 3s it open up the paint. it open up space.

ime doesn't care tho.

 

I'm all aboard the trade Bari train now. Ship DFS on the way out too for an actual shooter.

 

We should start the 2nd half with Reed...

 

I’m actually at the game and something that stands out in person is how poorly the rest of the team is about freeing themselves up. Neither Alpi nor KD should be passing to a guy that is covered up. I don’t know if it’s an energy thing, poor cutting instincts or just an overall lack of talent, but it’s totally killed Alpi’s ability to playmake.

Meanwhile, people are calling 8 pts and 11 boards trash - I know Alpi’s % is low but he’s the only one (other than Reed on that fantastic end of quarter play) who sets up others while nobody sets up anything for him. If we had a PG that could get him a few easy buckets per game, that % would go way up.

 

what do you think they say during halftime?

Clearly never anything good, we never come out wiuth different energy

 

ime’s “adjustments”/comfort moves:

more veteran presence (“**** them kids”)
Play them 40 minutes
More defense
Double bigs/rebounding
More defense
Did I mention moar defense?

 

Perk has got to be 4 bills, right? How many couches had to die so his suit could live?

 

NO WE SHOULD NOT!!!! im telling you Sengun and KD do not pass. Reed would have to ULTRA aggressive to demand the ball away from KD and Sengun.

unless Ime mandates that Amen not be the PG, it wont work. Just bring him in first instead of JD.

 

which ends up actually leads to shitty defense

muffaka can't even do that

 

wolves had a lot of fast break because rockets were throwing the ball away.

KD, sengun, amen. you can count jabari in there too with his 0-6. missed shots create fast breaks too.

let reed run the pick and roll. hopefully that will cut down the TOs.

 

to find the next lady to cheat on/with?

ain’t gonna be seeing it at any rockets parade

 

I don't get to watch as much as I'd like, so I'm wondering what the general consensus is regarding why ime doesn't play Reed more?

 

this team doesn't teach off ball picks/screens and if they do the screener is not doing a good job of it.

 

poor instincts, bad coaching. bad play structure. imo.