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

And everytime Ime pulls Reed after a made 3 or assist.

 

I thought Ime was better tonight. The players and ball were moving much better. Sengun finally got back to being a facilitator after one instance where he ignored a wide open Reed and lost the ball trying to beat a double team. They were running pick and roll more and generally trying to use picks to free Reed up. He didn’t play the double bigs a single time and stayed away from the zone. Amen and Okogie were playing fabulous defense. I like opening the game with Okogie starting, because it sets the tone for more aggressive defense. Reed can be great off the bench as long as they get away from Durant ISO ball when Reed is in the game. We desperately need Jabari to start hitting his 3’s. When Sengun is playing team ball we can live with 2 non-shooters in the game as long as the other 3 are consistent from 3. Durant and Reed shooting lites out from 3 was the biggest difference maker in this game. If Jabari’s 3 doesn’t come around then we are in deep sh*t, unless Tari can stay on the court or we make a trade for a shooter.

 

This should be pinned and stickied. I swear the average NBA discourse just watches players like Durant and Luka hit some crazy contested 3 pointer in crunch time and has no idea how much they give up on the other end.

We give up so many 3s because Durant doesnt close out on shooters. But he makes it difficult for people to shoot over him so people think he's a great defender.

 

We finally got out of the sub-30% 3pt shooting (thanks to KD and Reed) and we won. Surprised!

 

Just those two doing it won’t cut it. Jabari and Tari have to step up in that regard (Tari by actually staying on the court). If there is a reasonable trade for a Sg/combo guard that can shoot three’s and play defense we should pull the trigger. I just don’t know who that would be. Neither Reed or FVV are panaceas for our offensive issues. I did see way more movement last night and lots more picks to free Reed up and NO double bigs. It showed me there is some hope if Jabari gets out of his funk and Ime and Durant get away from Durant as the initiator and Ime goes back to traditional lineups and rotations, instead of the gimmicky ones and the throw sh*t against the wall that has been prevalent this year.

 

Home games?? Barely.

Fun part of the schedule is here. Six games in 9 nights starting with OKC Thursday. Ime has Durant primed for 39 min/gm. Eason can't return soon enough.

Mountain Time???

 

Those baby possums are something else!

 

Both KD and sengun are playing half-ass zone when they're out there. sengun in the paint and KD on the perimeter.

So many open 3s because teammates are confused whether or not to switch with KD.

Sengun doesn't move because he just roam around in the paint even though he's not an elite rim protector.

Playing KD 40mpg ain't helping with his stamina either.

 

Didn't get to watch much but glad they won.

Would it have made more sense to rest Adams against OKC? Hartenstein was out but T'Wolves are a bigger team with Gobert, Reid an Randle.

 

I do wonder if this team would've been better with Mikal Bridges instead of Durant. Essentially a mini Durant on offense but a much better player defensively.

 

Oh well. What's done is done. Ime wanted KD so he got KD.

Perhaps we would be singing a different song if both Tari and DFS are healthy. But things never go according to plan do they?

 

well damn

 

The KD trade made us worse.

DD