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Timberwolves and NBA Notes: Suns Keep Rolling, East Keeps Losing

Some bits and bobs for your morning cup of Canis.

By Eric in Madison
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

The Wolves actually won last night by outshooting an opponent!  That doesn't happen too often. Other things I didn't point out in the recap:

  • Corey Brewer with 12 boards. Clearly a decision not to have him run out; I suspect the coaches were worried about giving up too many offensive rebounds to a physical Memphis team.
  • Kevin Martin was hurting last night, and Rick Adelman chose not to put him back in the game in the 4th quarter. We'll see if he goes tonight, but the Wolves can't be without him for too long.
  • Pek is rolling along. 18+ points in nine straight games. 4.5 offensive rebounds a game in that stretch too.
You should read this article about 4th quarters at Punch Drunk Wolves. Short story: Wolves offense not very good in 4th quarters. In part because Love doesn't play enough.  Still, how blowouts/garbage time affects these numbers is worth asking.

This is an interesting week for the Wolves.  Four games before Christmas: at Boston, Portland, at Lakers, at Clippers. That leads them into their Christmas break. (Shockingly, they aren't one of the national TV Christmas Day teams).

It would be nice to be .500 or better at that point, as the schedule following Christmas is where they really can make some hay. The 13 games from 12/27 to 1/21 is the softest stretch they have all year. It will either catapult them into the playoff picture or be a bitter disappointment. Place your bets.

Elsewhere:
  • The Suns continue to roll, much to my surprise. They beat Golden State last night to move to 14-9. Everyone is shooting career bests for that team, so either Hornacek is a genius or there's been some good luck in Phoenix.
  • So does Portland, who won in overtime in Detroit. They score. I'm still trying to figure it out, but their 3 point shooting seems to be driving it. 21-4.
  • The East lost another two games to the West last night. Teams over .500: East-2, West-9.
Today in History:

1653: Oliver Cromwell appointed Lord Protector
1707: Last recorded eruption of Mt. Fuji, Japan
1773: Boston Tea Party protest against British taxes
1893: Dvorak's New World Symphony premeires
1915: Einstein publishes "General Theory of Relativity"

Today's musical birthday is Ludwig van Beethoven, born in 1770 (d. 1827)



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