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Two teams who have the 4th worst records in the NBA face off tonight in Detroit, MI. We got ourselves a NICE one tonight with lotto implications at stake!
Game Info
Who: Minnesota Timberwolves (21-47) at Detroit Pistons (20-49)
When: 6:00 pm CT
TV: Bally Sports North PLUS
Radio: 830 WCCO AM Radio
What To Watch For
- Coach Finch’s Rubio-Russell starting backcourt is now 1-1 after their Florida road trip. The peanut gallery has long been skeptical of that pairing and many anticipate Ricky Rubio not even being on the team next year (Not me though). To silence these murmurs, developing a strong chemistry between the 2 guards will surely do the trick.
- Speaking of chemistry with our Spanish Unicorn - Anthony Edwards has continued his ascension to future ruler of the NBA. I’d like to focus his rebounding. Ant is averaging 4.8 rebounds on the season, but has seen that number nearly double to 7.9 in his last eight games. I know Mr. John Meyer is out there loving it.
Ant sheds some more light on his relationship with Ricky Rubio. Say what you want about Ricky's on court play this year, but you can't discredit what he's done for/with Ant.
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) May 11, 2021
Full episode: https://t.co/TMw3DMBiGX pic.twitter.com/B4EAHraEXh
- I’m putting Karl-Anthony Towns on triple-double watch tonight. Not only is he likely inspired by Russell Westbrook’s new record, KAT will also have a graveyard of fringe NBA players guarding him tonight. Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant (among many others) are listed as OUT, meaning he gets CH favorite Sekou Doumbouya, Flip (RIP) favorite Jahlil Okafor, and YoLeo favorite Isaiah Stewart tonight.
- All slander aside, I really like Detroit’s young core. I really don’t think they’re 2 years away from being 2 years away. Maybe just 1 year away from being a year away - so 2 years away from being decent by Eastern Conference standards. Okay fine, so like 3 years away. Killian Hayes has been fun to watch (if you ignore the scoring and turnovers), Isaiah Stewart is an energetic and promising young player, and Saddiq Bey is already showing he belongs in the league as an effective 3&D guy. I’m hoping they’re able to add a top draft pick this year to complement their youth movement.
Injury Report
Minnesota @Timberwolves Status Report in advance of tomorrow's game at Detroit:
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) May 10, 2021
QUESTIONABLE
Juancho Hernangómez - Left Quad Contusion
OUT
Malik Beasley - Left Hamstring Injury
Jarrett Culver - Right Ankle Surgery
UPDATE:
Chris Finch says Juancho Hernangomez (left quad) will play tonight vs. Pistons.
— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) May 11, 2021
As for Malik Beasley, who's missed the last 19 games (left hamstring), Finch says it's looking "more like he would not" return this season.
Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee Hamidou Diallo, Dennis Smith Jr., Rodney McGruder, Wayne Ellington and Cory Joseph are all out
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) May 10, 2021
Predictions
- Chris Finch (.378) shows Dwane Casey (.434) that he deserves his rightful place as the 4th winningest coach in Timberwolves history by drawing up beautiful ATO and SLOB plays. What an accomplishment. YOU’RE NEXT TOMMY T (.475)!
- After being up 25 in the 3rd quarter, Jaylen Nowell gets significant PT and reopens the discussion of “Will Malik accept a role as a $14M bench scorer next year?” He finishes with 20 points on 0.69% shooting.
- KAT drops a massive 69-6-9 stat line tonight on 0.69% shooting, of course.
- Jahlil Okafor scores 18 points on 30 FGA. Former Detroit Pistons rookie, Arron Afflalo, witnesses this amazing display and immediately withdraws his bid for the Timberwolves and pursues the Pistons instead.
NBA veteran Arron Afflalo, who is heading an ownership group that has pursued the Minnesota Timberwolves for 10 months, told @NYTSports he plans to launch a renewed purchase bid now that Glen Taylor's exclusive negotiating window with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez has expired.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 11, 2021
- Ant, who earlier demolished Frank Jackson with a dunk, tells Lea B. Olsen in the post game courtside interview, “Hey I just wanna shoutout the winners of them Hoopus Awards! Ya’ll stay pushin’ out there, I see ya’ll...”
- Wolves win, 127-104.