Naz Reid Leads The Timberwolves To Victory In Oklahoma City (112-110)

Naz Reid Leads The Timberwolves To Victory In Oklahoma City (112-110)

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by | Dec 16, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves were on a losing skid but all of that changed tonight in OKC. The Timberwolves showed a lot of heart especially knowing they had to play without Rudy Gobert and D’Angelo Russell. Minnesota had to adjust the starting lineup and other players had to step up in their absence. One of those players that showed up tonight was Naz Reid as he was able to showcase his full talent on display. We saw Reid go coast to coast with a euro step and hit a couple 3 pointers. Naz Reid has been able to step right in with confidence and make the best of the minutes given to him with injuries. The way that Reid has played this season shows that he definitely needs some more playing time and was able to put on a show against OKC tonight. Naz Reid finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Reid was able to punish the OKC Thunder inside the paint and outside with the 3-point game. The Thunder put multiple players on Reid but it didn’t change a thing as he had it going tonight. Reid is a true power forward that can stretch the floor and that helps his teammates get openings for the offense.

 

The other player that showed up for the Timberwolves tonight was Austin Rivers who finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. Rivers showed that he can knock down his shot still and he can generate offense when given the opportunity. Austin hit a huge 3-pointer late in the game to seal the win but he was able to get a bucket with ease. This was a back-and-forth game with a lot of scoring so this was right down Austin Rivers’s alley. Austin showed a lot of leadership tonight and was able to defend at a high level as he was able to disrupt Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey tonight. Anthony Edwards was close to a triple-double but the young star was all over the place in this game. Edwards showed a lot of growth in this game as he was able to find his teammates while looking for his shot as well. Edwards finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists on the night as he was able to do as he pleased against OKC.

 

The Thunder lost another close one and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was at the front of their offense again as he was able to get what he wanted against Minnesota. The Timberwolves made it tough on Shai but he was able to still put up 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Thunder are going to be a team that everyone will need to watch out for after next season but the future is bright with SGA running things in OKC.

 

This Timberwolves team has been through ups and downs this season but they have grown to adapt to every situation with lineup changes. This team has stuck together now with Towns, Gobert, and Russell out of the lineup.

Dec 16, 2022 No Comments
The Los Angeles Clippers Beat The Shorthanded Timberwolves (99-88)

The Los Angeles Clippers Beat The Shorthanded Timberwolves (99-88)

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by | Dec 15, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves are already playing without Karl-Anthony Towns who should be back in early January. Tonight they had to play without their point guard D’Angelo Russell who’s been listed as (day to day) with a left knee contusion. Minnesota started Austin Rivers in his place tonight as they were looking for someone that can facilitate the offense to keep it running at a high pace. It didn’t work out as planned tonight as the Timberwolves struggled from the field against the Clippers but they showed a lot of grit/grind. Anthony Edwards was tested tonight as he was being guarded by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George during the game. In true Anthony Edwards fashion, he didn’t back down from the challenge he embraced it.

 

Edwards was the leading scorer for the Timberwolves tonight with 19 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds on 6/14 shooting from the field. It was a tough outing overall for the Timberwolves as they put out their lowest-scoring total of the season against the Clippers. Kyle Anderson and Jaylen Nowell both put up 13 points but the starters didn’t really get the chance to get involved as the Clippers team’s defense was a little too much to handle especially with D’Angelo Russell. It was tough for the Timberwolves to get a rhythm especially when your point guard isn’t there and you’re missing his clutch shot-making ability down the stretch. The Timberwolves got beat on the 3-point line tonight as that was the tale of the game the Clippers hit 14 3-pointers compared to their 4 3-pointers in the game. When it’s that lopsided in the 3-point department it’s going to be a tough night for any team in the NBA.

 

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George didn’t erupt for many points but both made a huge impact on the defensive end. Both of the LA Clippers stars combined for 36 points, 12 assists, and 19 rebounds with the majority of it coming from Paul George. Tonight PG-13 had a triple-double and was able to get his teammates in the right spots and he was able to defend Anthony Edwards at a high level. Both these teams will be squaring off again in early January as the Timberwolves will hope to be back at full health by getting Towns/Russell back for that game. The Clippers were at full strength tonight and were able to make the Timberwolves pay on every defensive mistake they had which wasn’t much. But it seemed as though the Clippers made every bucket off a turnover and made it a point to continue to attack the basket when the opportunity presented itself. Rudy Gobert finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds on the night as the Timberwolves missed out on some easy baskets in the paint with Rudy.

 

This team’s still learning and they were missing key pieces but when they figure it out as a whole they will be a problem for any team. Next up the Timberwolves will look to get back in the win column as they face the OKC Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dec 15, 2022 No Comments
Damian Lillard’s Record Shooting Night Helps Portland Beat Minnesota (133-112)

Damian Lillard’s Record Shooting Night Helps Portland Beat Minnesota (133-112)

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by | Dec 12, 2022 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

Both teams played each other the other night and Portland got the best of Minnesota. Minnesota was looking to get that revenge tonight but Damian Lillard made it challenging. This was a great effort in the first quarter for the Timberwolves as things were clicking as a unit. The Timberwolves kept this one close in the 1st half as it seemed like they countered them anytime Portland made a run. It was the second half when Dame Time actually took over as the house was on fire in Portland. Damian Lillard was on fire as soon as he got past half-court and it didn’t matter who was guarding him. You’re in serious trouble when you have a player that hot and seeing the ball go in as much as it did tonight. Dame was hitting anything that he put up and all you could do is tip your hat off to the man. On the night Damian Lillard finished the game with 38 points and he played an amazing game. Damian Lillard finished the game with 11 (3 Pointers) for the 3rd time in his career. The TrailBlazers made 21 3-pointers tonight and any time a team is that hot from 3-point land it’s going to be rough.

 

Tonight Lillard had a lot of help and it was Jerami Grant who stepped up to help with the scoring. Grant was scoring inside and out tonight against the Timberwolves as they had put Reid, Edwards, and McDaniels on him. Grant was making some great plays to get his teammates involved. When Grant’s playing like this it’s hard to really slow down a two-way player because his offense makes his defense. Jerami Grant is the ultimate teammate and proved tonight that he doesn’t care who’s on him he will find the right teammate. The TrailBlazers made the Timberwolves work for everything they got tonight and it was tough to watch if you’re a Timberwolves fan. The Timberwolves bright spot for tonight was D’Angelo Russell who scored 23 points and was able to get his teammates involved with 8 assists. Anthony Edwards had a down night as he just finished with 17 points but one thing about Edwards he will play his butt off until the final buzzer.

 

It was an off night for the Timberwolves overall as a unit but this is what the NBA is all about. You play 82 games and it was just two games that the Timberwolves let get away as the TrailBlazers made them pay in the transition/turnover game. The Timberwolves just couldn’t stop Damian Lillard tonight and at one point he was drawing double teams that opened things up for his Portland teammates. This is one of those games you forget about and continue to move forward in the season as they head to LA. It will be a great matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers as the Timberwolves are looking to bounce back.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dec 12, 2022 No Comments
Primetime Preview: New England Patriots Vs Arizona Cardinals (MNF Week 14)

Primetime Preview: New England Patriots Vs Arizona Cardinals (MNF Week 14)

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by | Dec 12, 2022 | Featured, NFL

 

 

The New England Patriots are coming into this game (6-6) and they need this win to continue their playoff push. The Pats will be without Jakobi Meyers and Damien Harris so look for New England to lean on Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield to be heavy in the passing game/running game. Mac Jones has grown over this season and he’s been able to get things going in the passing game. Mac has been able to get his teammates involved and he’s been able to turn to Hunter Henry who’s stepped up big time. If the Patriots are going to go into Arizona and pull out a win it will be because of the defense and running game. The defense has been led by Matthew Judon who has this team swarming around on the field making it tough on opposing offenses. If the Patriots can slow down Kyler Murray they can make this game a slugfest. If Murray gets loose in this game it could also be a long night for this defense. The Patriots will need to score a lot to keep up with Murray and his offense so this will be a complete game.

Kyler Murray has the Cardinals at (4-8) on the season but this is because of the injuries on the year. If this team was healthy and if Deandre Hopkins didn’t have the suspension we don’t know where this team would be. Rondale Moore has already been ruled out for this game so look for them to lean on Hopkins, Dortch, and Brown. Murray has some special weapons but this will be one of those games where they can spoil things for the Patriot’s playoff hopes. The running game has always been good when it comes to James Conner as he’s a rough/tough runner. This could be one of those defense games so it could be about the run game and the Cardinals know they can depend on Conner. The Cardinals have a good defense as well with Watt and Baker they both make it hard for Mac Jones who still makes some bad decisions when it comes to situations. If the Cardinals can make it tough for Mac and they can pressure him in the pocket it could be a long night for the Patriots.

 

Score Prediction: Cardinals Win (24-17)

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

Dec 12, 2022 No Comments
Primetime Preview: Miami Dolphins Vs Los Angeles Chargers (SNF Week 14)

Primetime Preview: Miami Dolphins Vs Los Angeles Chargers (SNF Week 14)

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by | Dec 11, 2022 | Featured, NFL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The LA Chargers are (6-6) fighting for their playoff lives and they will finally get a healthy team together. Justin Herbert will have Keenan Allen/Mike Williams back in the lineup and it’s the right time. If the Chargers are going to make this push it starts with those guys. The Chargers have one of the best receiving cores in the NFL and they just need to make it happen now. They also have Austin Ekeler who will be able to balance out the passing game but he’s also one of the best pass catching running backs in the game as well. When Ekeler gets loose that opens up everything for the Chargers and they just need to mesh together. The Chargers defense has been decent all year but going against the Dolphins they will need to keep Tua in check. It’s not going to be an easy task to try to slow down Tyreke Hill/Jaylen Waddle but overall it’s going to be a great game.

Tua Tagovailoa has been special all season and the spotlight will be on him as he leads Miami. The Dolphins are in a great position at (8-4) for the playoffs but they can definitely ruin the Chargers chances. Tua has been showing off his passing ability and he’s been able to put this Dolphins team on his back. It also helps that he has the coaching staff behind his every move. It’s going to be tough for the Chargers secondary as they try to stop Hill/Waddle. Both have been giving all the defenses they have played a tough time and they complement each other. The Dolphins have a good balance with the running game with Wilson Jr and Mosertt so they will need to beat down the Chargers defense to open things up for Tua. The Dolphin’s defense has played really well but they will need to make some turnovers happen to keep the high powered offense of the Chargers out of the end zone.

 

Score Prediction: Chargers Win (31-24)

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Dec 11, 2022 No Comments