ClutchFans Game Thread: Timberwolves @ Rockets 12/27/2024

Time to stomp the Wolves and impress ANT so he will demand a trade to Houston.

 

We play 18 games in the next 34 days. In Feb we play 4 back to back sets. 3 of those are in a row, albeit with days off between. There are people on this forum predicting 60 wins after our great start which is insane to me. The schedule is turning, but injuries to key players like Luka can keep us in the hunt for the playoffs.

Many teams will also start tanking for Cooper before long (Spurs and probably GSW out of the West). More out of the East. Many of the teams we wish to tank don't have their 25 pick unless they trade to get it and then initiate tanking (Lakers, Sac, Clippers, Phoenix are all possibilities). Given the scheule, I was somewhat pessimistic about us maintaing a 1-6 seed, but with the injury to Luka, those odds have improved. Without injury Memphis and Denver are locks to pass us unless we make a serious trade. Missing Luka for a month is a huge challenge for the Mavs and the Clippers, Minnesota,Phoenix, and Lakers are threats if they go injury free (I don't think they all will).

 

Rox have already won 4 in a row, they are due for a loss any game now and B2B against the Wolves might do it.

Wolves are rested and while their offense has been bad, its been much better lately. I'm hopeful we show some grit and get the dub though. Jabari and Sengun kinda took the night off so hopefully they show out this game.

 

The Rockets will finally be the beneficiaries of teams playing on B2Bs while they're rested. Every other team has had that privilege so far except for them.

Both Miami and Boston will be on the 2nd night of a B2B. Although the Heat play at 2 PM the day before in Atlanta, so that's not too tough of a turnaround.

 

Memphis might pass us but it wont be a lock. Denver I doubt it they are Jokic and a bunch of scrubs.

 

fify

 

Murray, Gordon, MPJ, Braun are all solid starters when healthy. They just have no depth and Murray/Gordon/MPJ are all injury-prone players who struggle to consistently stay on the court and healthy enough to perform their best. They could maybe pass us if we go through a rough stretch and they can get/keep everybody healthy.

 

If the Rockets are healthy (Tari) and Cam remains a solid contributor, I have little doubt they'll finish top 6 because their depth will carry them.

No way the .700 winning % continues but I don't think the dog days of January will become a graveyard for them.

 

Yeah I think we’ve been helped some due to having more rest then others the real test is coming

 

February is not a cake walk either with 4 back to backs. I'm usually a realistic optimist. I think we are a good team heading toward great team when we straighten out our backcourt. These next 18 games will inform us a great deal. I don't think we make the playoffs if we continue to be 27th in offense as the schedule gets more difficult. I would've said Dallas was a lock to pass us, but then Luka got hurt for a month. With 52 more games we are 4 games ahead of the 7th team and 6 games ahead of the 11th team. The West is tough, but a lot of the teams are aging. I think this is the last year GSW, Lakers, Clippers, and Phoenix could still do damage. They will all have an advantage with the NBA mafiosa. Too many are thinking we are a lock for the playoffs. I, on the other hand, believe we need to be using this as a continued development year and then push our chips in next year without FVV.

 

With February though, keep in mind that the All-Star Break will allow the players to rest for a week. That should offset some of the strain from all those B2Bs.

 

Yes one of the back to backs is immediately after the all-star break. 3 are before it. We really need Cam and Tari to be healthy and playing well to weather the next 2 months. With them we have great depth. FVV will probably get better and Dillon worse if they return to the norm. Dillon might be able to maintain this year, given the shape he came into the season with and again, that would really impact our depth. I still maintain that if we stay as the 27th offense our defense and depth will not carry us to the playoffs.

 

We do not have the 27th best offense no matter what stats you show me. I am certainly not a stats guy but point differential is one that doesn’t lie. Our defense is top shelf and the offense is middle but with room to improve. We are good, becoming great, as a team. That’s all I care about.

 

FVV gon either shoot his way to win this game or shoot his way out to lose the game.

 

Whoah-oh Black Betty - Slam by Cam
Whoah-oh Black Betty - Another Jam by Cam

Let’s gooo!!!

 

kill these guys so Ant is one step closer to asking out

 

I'm just hoping the reality check comes after the Boston game , not tonight.. Let's get this W

 

So you're saying theres a chance?

 

Just win, baby!! 5 in a row sounds nice. Wooooooooooooo!!!!!!!