Minnesota Remains Undefeated In 2023 By Beating Houston (104-96)

Minnesota Remains Undefeated In 2023 By Beating Houston (104-96)

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by | Jan 8, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game on a three-game winning streak feeling great. It’s a new year but also a new look Timberwolves as Anthony Edwards has become one of the primary ball handlers. The Houston Rockets on the other hand are young but still searching for their identity nightly.

 

The Timberwolves were challenged in this game as Kevin Porter Jr was able to get loose tonight. When Porter Jr is in attack mode it seems as though everything goes well for the Rockets. Porter Jr was taking advantage of the mismatch when the bigs were switched on him and made them pay. The Rockets were able to get out in transition in this one and had their defense determine their offense. Kevin Porter Jr was the bright spot for them with 25 points as Minnesota made it tough on Jalen Green tonight with his 9 points.

 

In the last couple of games, D’Angelo Russell has been loading in that points column, and tonight was no different. When the Timberwolves need that player that can get in ISO and get a bucket Russell has shown up big time. Throughout the season and tonight Russell continued his hot scoring as he was able to drop a game-high 22 points with 6 assists, and 3 rebounds. Russell has been consistent all season for the Timberwolves and he was able to give the Rockets that work tonight. Inside and outside it didn’t matter in that second half as Russell put the team on his back helping Anthony Edwards. Speaking of Edwards he was a game-time decision in this one but looked like regular “Ant-Man” tonight. Edwards finished the game with 21 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds as Minnesota was able to dominate that second half. When the Timberwolves play a complete game like this when everyone is eating their a hard team to beat. Rudy Gobert has been a double-double machine as of late and showed dominance in the paint tonight with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Timberwolves will be heading to Detroit to try and make it 5 straight wins in the calendar year of 2023.

 

 

 

Photo Credit:  (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jan 8, 2023 No Comments
Timberwolves Take Down The Short Handed Clippers (128-115)

Timberwolves Take Down The Short Handed Clippers (128-115)

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by | Jan 7, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Timberwolves have had a week to continue to remember as they’re on a 2 game winning streak coming into tonight. Minnesota has been playing to their competition and has been dominating in every phase of the game. This week the Timberwolves beat Denver & Portland and added the Clippers to that list tonight. The Clippers were coming in on a back to back and didn’t play Paul George/Kawhi Leonard.

 

The Clippers didn’t have much working for them tonight. They did get a good game out of Norman Powell but it wasn’t able to translate into the win. Powell was the leading scorer with 21 points for the Clippers but tonight was the Timberwolves night.

 

In the game, Minnesota was able to take advantage of the fact that the Clippers didn’t have their star players. Rudy Gobert was able to go to work in the paint against Zubac as he showcased his dominance. When Rudy can attack the paint and beat everyone down to the floor he’s unstoppable. Tonight the Timberwolves were able to feed the big man as he was getting alley-oop dunks and was able to impose his will in the game. It didn’t matter who the Clippers put on Rudy tonight as the ball was placed exactly where the big man needed it to be. Rudy was also able to scare the opposing offense in the paint as he was able to block multiple shots. If Minnesota can unlock the potential that Rudy has on the defensive end like they did tonight it will turn into offense. Rudy Gobert was able to finish the game with 25 points and 21 rebounds. Rudy was able to get his 9th 20/20 game in his career and he was a man among boys in the paint tonight. The players really made a true effort to feed Rudy and feature him tonight which was shown to work.

 

D’Angelo Russell played a major part in this game as well with his offense. DLo was able to add his own 25 points, with 4 assists and 5 rebounds tonight. Russell came out clicking on all cylinders as he was making some tough shots over the Clipper’s defenders. The Clippers had Reggie Jackson/John Wall guarding him but once that ice is in his veins it doesn’t matter who’s in front of him. Russell has proven he’s one of the best clutch shooters in the NBA and lives for those moments. When Anthony Edwards went down with his hip injury you can tell they leaned on D’Angelo. Jaden McDaniels was another player who was able to get his game going as he was able to add 18 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds. When the Wolves play a collective game like this on both ends they are a tough team to put away.

The Timberwolves will be in Houston on Sunday and keep it locked here for updates on Anthony Edwards status for the game.

Jan 7, 2023 No Comments
Anthony Edwards Hot Shooting Continues As Minnesota Beats Portland (113-106)

Anthony Edwards Hot Shooting Continues As Minnesota Beats Portland (113-106)

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by | Jan 5, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves are fresh off beating the Denver Nuggets on Monday. Next, they had the Portland Trail Blazers as the Timberwolves tried to slow down Damian Lillard. The Timberwolves got D’Angelo Russell back in the lineup after missing the game with an illness.

We saw one of the best jobs done on Damian Lillard tonight in a long time. Yes, Dame still got his numbers but the Timberwolves made him work for every basket and even though they fouled a lot tonight he wasn’t able to find a rhythm in the game really. One person that did find his rhythm early in this game was Jerami Grant as he was able to start the game with 20 points before halftime but then left the game with a thigh contusion to come back later. I don’t know if the injury had an impact on how he felt because he finished with only 6 points in the second half but he was going off. Usually, it’s Dame Time for Portland but it was nice to see Lillard/Simons were able to get that help. Lillard was slow to start out but started getting to the free throw line in the second half which got his offense going. Damian Lillard was able to finish the game with 27 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds tonight.

The Timberwolves on the other hand were led by Anthony Edwards who has been sensational all season long. Edwards has been the one consistent Timberwolves player who you can count on with anything it feels like. Tonight he was able to put the Timberwolves on his back with ease. It didn’t matter if Anthony Edwards was being double-teamed or not he still made the right basketball play. The growth in Anthony Edward’s game has been on full display because he can get his teammates involved while still trying to attack the defense. Edward’s finished the game with 32 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds.

 

One of the things that stands out the most is that Anthony Edwards has been running the plays down the stretch and making tough decisions. Anthony has been able to make the right basketball play night in and night out and that showed against Portland. Rudy Gobert was able to add 17 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Gobert has been dominant in the painted area but he can be more vicious in the paint with dunks/putbacks. Once this whole team gets together injury free it will be a scary sight. A good sight to see was Taurean Prince as he came right in and looked like he didn’t miss a beat. The Timberwolves have a special treat with a special talent they just have to put it all together.

 

The Timberwolves play against the Clippers on Friday as they go through the gauntlet of playoff teams during this stretch run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jan 5, 2023 No Comments
Anthony Edwards 2nd Half Eruption Helps Minnesota Beat Nuggets (124-111)

Anthony Edwards 2nd Half Eruption Helps Minnesota Beat Nuggets (124-111)

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by | Jan 3, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game on a 6 game losing streak. To break that streak they needed to knock off the Denver Nuggets and the reigning MVP Nikola Jokić. The Nuggets are number one in the West and this was a true test for the Minnesota Timberwolves who were without D’Angelo Russell, Naz Reid, and Karl-Anthony Towns. One person that was there for the Timberwolves was Anthony Edwards as he has become H1M. Anthony started slowly in this game during the first half as he was getting his teammates involved right away.

 

Edwards has been playing with the ball more in his hands as of late which is why we see the uptick in his assists totals. Tonight it was all about his 2nd half and his 3rd quarter where he scored 15 points alone. It didn’t matter who was guarding Edwards tonight he was able to get to his spot against Denver and make them pay. On the night Edwards finished with 29 points, 5 assists, and 10 rebounds. Edwards had some help tonight as McDaniels, Nowell, and Anderson all had 17-plus points tonight. If the Timberwolves can have this much consistency this could be a scary team. Have to also give a lot of credit to Austin Rivers, Kyle Anderson, and Jaden McDaniels who all made some big 3 point shots in the closing moments of the game to clinch the win.

 

The Nuggets have the MVP Jokic and it just wasn’t his night. The Joker finished with 24 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as he needed some more help. The Nuggets did get Jamal Murray back in the lineup and he poured in 14 points. The Timberwolves were able to defend well in the paint tonight making it tough for Gordon/Porter Jr/Jokic to get anything easy. The Timberwolves will be looking to keep that up as they have the TrailBlazers coming into town on Wednesday. Hopefully, by then the Timberwolves can get Russell or Reid back in the lineup to start a true win streak.

Jan 3, 2023 No Comments
Primetime Preview: Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals (MNF Week 17)

Primetime Preview: Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals (MNF Week 17)

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by | Jan 2, 2023 | Featured, NFL

The Buffalo Bills (12-3) are coming into this game as one of the best teams in the NFL. The Bills are trying to lock up that number-one seed in the AFC and they can’t afford to lose to the Bengals. The Bills have the Chiefs right on their heels when it comes to that number-one seed and they will need a complete game. Josh Allen has been at the top of his game all season and it doesn’t matter what defense you put against this man he’s a problem. Allen can beat you in the air and on the ground with his legs like no other in the league. Josh Allen will need his weapons Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and Devin Singletary to step up and show out in this massive matchup. The Bengals will have a tough time defending the Bill’s Josh Allen but will need to hope that he just beats himself. If Josh Allen comes out slinging the ball to everyone that will open up his quarterback draws that he’s mastered for a lot of yards. This will definitely be a playoff atmosphere type of game in Cincy as the Bills will do what they need to for the win. The Bill’s defense has been impressive all season long as they will try to slow down Joe Burrow who’s made some mistakes along the way of this winning streak. If the Bills can make Burrow make a mistake in this game then it will definitely help the outcome of this game.

 

 

The Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) are still in contention for the number one seed they will need a little bit of help from teams playing the Chiefs and need to take care of the Bills. Anything is possible as we have seen but it can happen because this has been a crazy season. The Bengals have the best receiving core in the NFC as they have Chase, Higgins, and Boyd who all can make some special plays for Burrow. The running game will be huge for the Bengals in this game as they will need to lean on Joe Mixon to help out in a major way. If Mixon can help with the rushing and catch some passes out the backfield if the wide receivers aren’t open that will help the Bengals get the win. Look for Burrow to make some plays with his legs as well if he needs to in this game. The Bengal’s defense has been hit or misses this season but they will try to make it tough on Josh Allen tonight. If the Bengals can slow down the running game and make Allen just depend on throwing they can create a turnover to make things go in their favor. Overall this will be one of the best games of the season and the playoff implications in this one make it a must-see game.

 

Score Prediction: Bengals Win (20-14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Jan 2, 2023 No Comments