Tim's Game Preview: Game 16, Utah Jazz
by TimAllen on Jan 21, 2012 4:00 PM CST
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Act like you've been there before? Nah. Act like you're going to be there for the next decade.
Minnesota Timberwolves (15-0) vs. Utah Jazz (9-5) at EnergySolutions Arena
Please, keep doubting the Wolves.
Please keep saying that Kevin Love is not the type of player you can give the ball to in late game situations. Keep saying that Blake Griffin is a better player. Keep saying that Rubio can't shoot, that Darko is a bum and that David Kahn didn't know what he was doing all along.
It just makes it that much better when we win.
That's right, Utah. I said 'when' we win. Tonight is a when and a win and the only thing that could stop that is Jerry Sloan coming off of the ranch, Karl Malone putting on some Skechers Shape-Ups and the Deron Williams trade getting nixed for basketball reasons.
Let's break down tonight's matchups:
It's no laughing matter for Darko after last night's performance.
Darko Milicic vs. Al Jefferson
Stop-n-Pop captured Darko's performance against the Clippers better than I could do, but here are the facts: 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting. 7 rebounds. 2 assists. 2 blocks. And even though he ended up fouling out, he played very solid defense on Blake Griffin throughout the game.
Tonight, Darko will up against former Timberwolves' savior Al Jefferson, who has helped the Utah Jazz defy expectations so far this season. Through 14 games, Jefferson is putting up pre-injury numbers and has the Jazz 4 games above .500.
It's hoping for a lot to think Darko can consistently turn in the type of performances that he did last night, but I think he's perfectly suited to stop Jefferson's game and expect another strong defensive effort tonight.
Winner: Darko Milicic
Other than Charles Barkley, it seems like every national NBA analyst underrates Kevin Love's game, especially compared to other power forwards.
Kevin Love vs. Paul Millsap
Let's go down the list...
Blake Griffin: Great dunks, bad Kia commercials and not a whole lot more in between.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Somebody wake me up the next time the Blazers are relevant.
Chris Bosh:: Calling him a third wheel would be kind.
Dirk Nowitzki: Love can shoot like Dirk, but Dirk can't rebound like Love.
Paul Millsap: He only made this list because he's playing tonight.
Pick any other power forward you want. Kevin Garnett, Carlos Boozer, Amar'e Stoudemire, Tim Duncan. No sane person would rather have any of those players on their team over K-Love.
Winner: Kevin Love
Gordon Hayward is best known for a game-winning shot that he missed.
Wesley Johnson vs. Gordon Hayward
If Gordon Hayward ever figures out how to be a basketball player, he might be okay. Right now, though, he's just a bundle of athleticism without any idea how to put that into use. He can jump high, block some shots and finish at the rim. He does not seem to know how to run a pick-and-roll, however, and both his shooting and ball handling are subpar. He would have been a nice project for coach Jerry Sloan, but I guess Deron Williams messed that one up for everybody. Sorry, Utah.
Wesley Johnson was not on the court for the final buzzer beater last night, but I'm sure Wolves fans would've felt just as comfortable with him taking the last shot, right? Although, to be fair, Johnson seems to have picked up the habit of pump faking at the three point line and driving it into the lane. After shooting only 2 free throws in the first 13 games combined, Johnson has taken 7 free throws over the last 2 games. Given that he's shooting a ripe .156 from downtown in the month of January, it is the preferable strategy.
Winner: Wesley Johnson
I'm sure this photo endears Raja Bell to a lot of Wolves fans.
Luke Ridnour vs. Raja Bell
I remember when Raja Bell was talked about last year as a desirable trade target for the Timberwolves. Perhaps some Wolves fans still think he'd be a nice addition on the wing. With Luke Ridnour playing so well, though, and Wayne Ellington coming through as a backup wing, I think Bell would just take minutes away from more deserving players.
Take Ellington, for example. Over his last four games, he's averaging 12 points on 64% shooting (50% from 3-point range). Since he has been Makin' It Wayne so often, keep giving him minutes and don't waste the time or money trying to acquire overpriced veterans.
Winner: Luke Ridnour
Harris-to-Favors has not exactly replaced Stockton-to-Malone.
Ricky Rubio vs. Devin Harris
A few years ago, Mark Cuban was being derided for trading young point guard Devin Harris to New Jersey for the aging Jason Kidd. Now, Kidd is a reigning NBA Champion and Harris is failing to replace Deron Williams as point guard of the Jazz.
Harris is not having a stellar season. His shooting percentages and his usage rate are both way down, his turnover % is way up, and his PER has sunk to 11.7 - the lowest of his career.
Ricky Rubio showed some major cajones last night when he took a game-tying three after going 0-10 from the floor in the first 47 minutes of the game. Hopefully that can get his shooting back on track and we can see another magical, Unicorn-like performance.
Winner: Ricky Rubio
Clearly, Utah Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin had a long-lasting impression in Minnesota
My Prediction: Timberwolves 94 - Utah Jazz 88
Timberwolves' Record: 16-0
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great post TAllen..
I need you to go on the thread today and say the Wolves are going to lose about midway through the third quarter, and then say they’re going to win with about one minute left. It worked yesterday and I hope it does again today.. For what it is worth I thought we were going to lose during the entire game yesterday.
WoW
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 21, 2012 11:58 PM CST up reply actions
He looks like he's saying,
“Hey everybody! Watch me pull a rabbit out of this Kobe!”
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 21, 2012 5:31 PM CST up reply actions
I really don't like Kobe, but...
…that was a really bush league play. If you cannot guard a guy you don’t open hand slap him in the face. Put aside his grating personality and you’d have to agree that Bell’s play was extremely dirty, and not even in the “McHale plows Rambis to send a message” sort of way. It was just a guy being dirty and cheap because he was frustrated. And the defense that he kept getting elbowed in the face? Elbow him back. Punch him in the stomach. Do not get ejected from a playoff game because you’re frustrated.
To summarize: Bell proved to me that he was not a big game player with that move, he didn’t earn some lifetime man card of respect.
by Madsen's 3-Point Barrage on Jan 21, 2012 6:17 PM CST up reply actions
This is an interesting game
The Jazz, like us, are on the cusp of something quite good. Bench play might well be an important factor, because the Jazz have a bit of depth. They drafted very well, I think – I like Alec Burks and Kanter has real upside. Derrick Favors has a decent game, and Jeremy Evans is another high energy rebounder to get all up in Love’s business on the glass. Rubio is going to have to play well facilitating the offense, I imagine.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Buzzers Are Beaten And Serbians Rule
Yet another game where AR probably won't see the floor
We’re playing some teams with beef up front lately and clearly Adelman doesn’t like AR matching up against those types. Pek and Darko are going to get a lot of burn again tonight.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 21, 2012 6:42 PM CST up reply actions
Who's tonight's hero?
One of the things that’s made this season fun, especially recently, is that different guys are stepping up each game. Monday it was Luke and Wayne. Wednesday it was AT and Pek. Last night it was Darko(!).
IMaybe it’s just wishfulo thinking, but I have a feeling we’re going to see Wes and/or Williams bust out tonight. Both showed signs of life last night, and seem due. Plus they have to realize that if they don’t start showing a little something more, they’re going to see their minutes reduced when guys start coming back from injury, so they should be playing with some urgency.
Wes
I’ve also been hoping for a great game from Wes, he might be thinking that if Darko could step up make the lefthanded hook yesterday, there must be hope for him making the 3s. I also look forward to Rubio improving his shooting percentage and getting to the .500’d be simply awesome, although I expect a very difficult game 2night.
Yeah
It would be great to see Wes/ or Williams break out. imo they have been gradually improving their play. For example, Williams finished at the rim strong twice yesterday and Wes has been getting more aggressive and has made more open 3’s than early in the year. That said, a win today would be huge for the wolves.
I'm fine with gradual improvement
As long as His Lordship Coach Adelman can find three guys who are “on” enough to fit around Ricky and Kev in the fourth. I’m just worried about the legs in the fourth tonight.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 6:56 PM CST up reply actions
It's easy to be due for a good game...
…when you don’t play good games. Kwame Brown is due for a decade’s worth of double-doubles.
That said, I’d love to see the Kill Shark and Williams both bust out. I’d be happy is Williams just stopped getting his shot blocked at the rim constantly, but I think that’s wishful thinking.
by Madsen's 3-Point Barrage on Jan 21, 2012 6:19 PM CST up reply actions
Well there's only
one thing that’s better than watching from the first row, and this applies to all sports. You know this thing as “watching on tv.”
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 21, 2012 5:34 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Another great preview.
Darko looks like he’s tickling AlJeff. But he’s doing it clinically.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
Barkley
is ALWAYS on point when it comes to evaluating players.
Any idea on what channel on Directv this game is on?
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson
by RileysCannibalJct on Jan 21, 2012 6:12 PM CST reply actions
Is Hayward really that bad at shooting?
I seem to remember him be good in college… That was awhile ago though
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
by VoodooMagic on Jan 21, 2012 7:02 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Ooops... no TV
than forget about Darko’s good game. He’s good only when game is nationally televised :-)
Nice. I fancy a win tonight.
Despite it being a weekend, I’m missing again tonight.
Bloody late games.
Live And Stupid From England
If jumpshots don't fall like the last few games........
1. Get our sg’s to the rack, make al jeff and paul m. foul the crap out of them
2. Put those two jazzers in the penalty and on the bench
3. Hurt them from the charity stripe
4. Repeat
5. Win
"The only difference between a good shot and a bad shot is if it goes in or not." - Charles Barkley
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