1 00:00:01,440 --> 00:00:09,600 Speaker 1: The volume, blending Vice's signature dynamic storytelling with the high 2 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: octane world of sports. Vice Sports brings an exciting and 3 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 1: diverse range of programming that goes beyond the game. From 4 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:19,320 Speaker 1: action pack live events to gripping behind the scenes documentaries, 5 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:24,759 Speaker 1: to hard hitting investigative pieces and in depth profiles of athletes, coaches, teams. 6 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: Vice Sports captures the raw energy, drama, and passion that 7 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:32,320 Speaker 1: makes sports truly unforgettable. Catch live events and other exclusive 8 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: sports programs only on Vice Tv. Go to vicetv dot 9 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: com to find your cable channel. 10 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 2: The NBA eighty two game grind is done. Now the 11 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:44,959 Speaker 2: real fun begins. The NBA Playoffs are here and it's 12 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 2: time for all the high stakes drama, clutch moments, and 13 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 2: jaw dropping plays. I can't wait. If you're looking to 14 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,559 Speaker 2: make the playoffs even more exciting, DraftKings Sportsbook has you 15 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:56,600 Speaker 2: covered as an official sports betting partner of the NBA 16 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 2: from the playing games all the way through to the finals. 17 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 2: Now's the time to back your favorite players and teams 18 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 2: as they chase glory. All season long. DraftKings has been 19 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 2: the go to spot for NBA player props, and that 20 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 2: does not stop now. Want to make your playoff experience 21 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 2: even more intense, try placing a bet on your favorite 22 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 2: player's performance. Well they drop thirty points, forty or more, 23 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 2: it's your call. Ready to place your first bet? Download 24 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 2: the DraftKings sports Book Gap. Now lock in your bets. 25 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 2: Let's make this playoff run unforgettable. Here's something special for 26 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:26,880 Speaker 2: first timers. New DraftKings customers. Bet five dollars to get 27 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 2: two hundred dollars in bonus bets. Instantly make it a 28 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 2: playoff run to remember. With DraftKings, download the DraftKings Sportsbook 29 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 2: Gap and use code hoops. That's h oops. That's code 30 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 2: hoops for new customers to get two hundred dollars in 31 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 2: bonus bets when you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings. 32 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 2: The Crown is yours. Gambling problem called Way one hundred 33 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 2: gambler In New York call eight seven seven eight hope 34 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 2: and why, or text hope and Why to four six 35 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 2: seven three six nine. In Connecticut, help us available for 36 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 2: problem gambling Call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven 37 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 2: seven seven seven or visit CCPG. Do please play responsibly 38 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 2: on behalf of Boothill Casino and Resort in Kansas twenty 39 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:08,639 Speaker 2: one plus. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction, Void and Ontario. 40 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 2: New customers only bonus bets expire one hundred and sixty 41 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 2: eight hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, 42 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:32,560 Speaker 2: see dkang dot co slash audio. All right, we'll doing 43 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 2: Hoops tonight. You're at the volume heavy Monday, everybody hope 44 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 2: alth You guys are having a great start to your week. 45 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 2: We are giving our series preview for the Minnesota Timberwolves 46 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 2: versus Golden State Warriors today. Agonizing, I walked into this 47 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 2: zoom call still not knowing who I was going to pick, 48 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 2: but then I ended up following my gut. You guys 49 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:51,239 Speaker 2: will see at the tail end of the show. You 50 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:52,959 Speaker 2: guys are the drill before we get started. Subscribed to 51 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 2: the Hoops and I YouTube channels. You don't miss any 52 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:56,679 Speaker 2: more of our videos. Follow me on Twitter at underscore jcnltcs. 53 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 2: You guysn't miss you announcements. Don't forget about a podcast 54 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 2: feed where we get your podcast owner who tonight. It's 55 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 2: also super helpful if you leave your rating and review 56 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 2: on that front. Jackson's doing great work on our social 57 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 2: media feeds Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, make sure you follow hoops tonight, 58 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 2: there and the last, but not at least keep dropping 59 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:11,799 Speaker 2: those mail bag questions in the YouTube comments. All right, 60 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 2: let's talk some basketball. So the season series, the Warriors 61 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 2: went three to one. They lost their first matchup of 62 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 2: the year, but they won three straight. All of the 63 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:23,160 Speaker 2: games were before the trade deadline, so a lot of 64 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 2: different players involved, specifically for the Warriors, a lot of 65 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 2: Andrew Wiggins, a lot of Dennis Schroeder, guys that obviously 66 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 2: aren't on the team anymore. I did think there were 67 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 2: plenty of examples though, of just the sheer difference between 68 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 2: this matchup and the Lakers matchup, specifically for Minnesota's defense, 69 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 2: which will go over and We've talked about it a 70 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 2: few times already, but I want to get into some 71 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 2: more detail today, and particularly in crunch time, the Wolves 72 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 2: really struggled to guard Golden State. In the three Warriors wins, 73 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 2: there were ten clutch minutes, meaning ten minutes of game 74 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 2: time where the game was within at least five points 75 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 2: and with than five minutes left. In those ten minutes, 76 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: the Warriors logged a one thirty two offensive rating as 77 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 2: they repeatedly struggled to deal with steph in space. The 78 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 2: overall metrics for the matchup, both teams logged a one 79 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 2: hundred and thirteen offensive rating. Overall, both teams grabbed over 80 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 2: thirty one percent of their own misses, so both teams 81 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 2: struggled to keep each other off of the offensive glass. 82 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 2: The odds right now, Minnesota is a minus one seventy 83 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 2: five favorite. That feels about right to me. In terms 84 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 2: of Vegas odds, I think this is going to be 85 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,839 Speaker 2: a very close series. In a vacuum, I would view 86 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 2: this series as essentially a coin flip, But under the 87 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 2: real world circumstances, I feel like Minnesota should absolutely be 88 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 2: the slightly favor the slight favorite that they are. If 89 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 2: you start to go down the list, it's like, Okay, 90 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: they looked more impressive in the first round, right, Like 91 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 2: they beat a better team quicker, right, Although for me personally, 92 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:53,719 Speaker 2: I don't think that has much bearing on this series. 93 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,839 Speaker 2: I'm a big believer that each matchup in the playoffs 94 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 2: is its own unique brand of basketball and and it 95 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 2: just doesn't matter, right, Like, for instance, Minnesota beating Denver 96 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 2: last year, I thought Denver was the best team in 97 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 2: the Western Conference. They caught an extremely unfavorable matchup against Minnesota. 98 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: Minnesota beat them. I think Denver was better than that 99 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 2: Dallas team. Minnesota runs into Dallas, totally different matchup. Minnesota 100 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,279 Speaker 2: really struggles and gets ousted in five games. Like just 101 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 2: because Minnesota looked more impressive against a better team in 102 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 2: the first round, that means nothing. As you throw the 103 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 2: ball up in the air at center court tomorrow night 104 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,159 Speaker 2: against the Golden State Warriors. It is a fundamentally different 105 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,160 Speaker 2: basketball team that plays a fundamentally different style. It is 106 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 2: not it is not remotely the same situation. But for Vegas' sake, 107 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 2: Minnesota did look more impressive. They have home court as well, 108 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 2: and they have a substantial rest advantage. They've been done 109 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 2: since Wednesday prepping for this series and getting rest, although 110 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 2: I don't think it matters as much for as young 111 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:54,360 Speaker 2: and athletic team as they are. But on the other side, 112 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,599 Speaker 2: Golden State just finished a blood bath with Houston. Yeah 113 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:00,720 Speaker 2: literally just finished last night, And as def said, they'd 114 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:02,919 Speaker 2: literally packed their bags from Minnesota and they went straight 115 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:05,919 Speaker 2: to Minnesota from Houston. So obviously a bunch of like 116 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:09,160 Speaker 2: those kinds of factors that favor Minnesota. I think that's 117 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 2: enough to at least make Minnesota a slight gambling favorite 118 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,480 Speaker 2: the way that they are. So let's talk about Minnesota 119 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 2: on the offensive end of the floor. The first big 120 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 2: question is how will the Warriors look to counter Minnesota's 121 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 2: interior size, like, will they size up to try to 122 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 2: compete physically, or will they size down to try to 123 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 2: space Minnesota out and win with their speed. My guess 124 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:33,239 Speaker 2: is that Kurr is going to start by splitting the difference, 125 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 2: meaning he'll start Quinton Post. You're bigger that way, but 126 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 2: Posts can also drag at least one of Minnesota's bigs 127 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 2: out of the paint, although I would not be surprised 128 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 2: if in this series we see Minnesota and Chris Finch 129 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 2: try a similar strategy to what Houston tried and try 130 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 2: to put Rudy Gobert not on Julius Rant or excuse me, 131 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 2: not on Draymond Green, not on like a you know, 132 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:57,239 Speaker 2: a more of a screening a screen en roll threat 133 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 2: like a Gary Payton. But keep an eye on whether 134 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 2: or not they try to go bear on like Moses 135 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 2: Moody whenever he's on the floor, try to put him 136 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 2: in a situation where he can help. There's also the 137 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 2: issue with if you put Gobert, if you put Draymond 138 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 2: on Gobert, there's there's the simple problem that you're gonna 139 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 2: have another size mismatch elsewhere in the front court, right, 140 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 2: But like I think they'll start with Quinton Post. That's 141 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 2: my guess. The other direction I could see Steve Kerr 142 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 2: going is to ride the hot streak up Buddy Heeld 143 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 2: is on. In the last three wins in the Rockets series, 144 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 2: Buddy Heeld averaged twenty two points per game on fifty 145 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 2: six percent from the field and fifty five percent from three. 146 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 2: He was massive on offense in all three games. Obviously, 147 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 2: that would put the Warriors in a physical bind in 148 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 2: terms of size and strength, But that comes with all 149 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 2: sorts of advantages on the offensive end of the floor, 150 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 2: which we'll talk about. Step one on this side of 151 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 2: the floor when Minnesota's on offense is the physicality matchup. 152 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 2: Will the Wolves be able to do to Golden State 153 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 2: what the Rockets did to Golden State or what the 154 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 2: Wolves did to Golden State in the regular season, which 155 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 2: is dominate them on the offensive glass. There's no real 156 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 2: schematic thing to get to here. For Minnesota, it's about 157 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 2: being relentless with their effort and wearing Golden State down 158 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 2: over the course of the series. For Golden State, it's 159 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 2: about Sandwich rebounding, getting a body on the Bigs, coming 160 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 2: over the top and grabbing those rebounds while the Bigs 161 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 2: are in physical altercations on the ground. That's just we're 162 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:20,920 Speaker 2: gonna see which direction that swings over the course of 163 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 2: the series. My guess as well, see phases for both 164 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 2: teams where they do extensive damage on the offensive glass 165 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: in action. So in the half court, how are they 166 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,319 Speaker 2: going to guard the Wolves? In the first round, the 167 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 2: Wolves ran a steady diet of ISO and post ups 168 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 2: because the Lakers did a ton of switching. So it 169 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 2: turned into Aunt and Julius picking on whatever matchup they 170 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,199 Speaker 2: wanted and looking to attack, and Ant made a lot 171 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 2: of really high quality reads throughout that series. In the 172 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 2: four wins, Aunt averaged eight assists per game in just 173 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 2: one turnover. He did have zero assists in their one loss, though, 174 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 2: something to keep in mind, like if you can play 175 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:58,559 Speaker 2: him into a game where he doesn't pass the ball 176 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,840 Speaker 2: as well. But this series will likely involve some more 177 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,719 Speaker 2: variety in the coverages than what they saw from La 178 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 2: We're probably gonna see more zone from Golden State in 179 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 2: the series than the Lakers tried. Draymond will likely be 180 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 2: on Rudy Gobert every time he's on the floor, and 181 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 2: that's not gonna be a switching look. Like I think 182 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 2: they'll switch with Draymond if the on ball guy gets 183 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:21,959 Speaker 2: like completely wiped out by a screen, but I think 184 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 2: he's gonna be in more of a high drop coverage. 185 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 2: I think Draymond's gonna be up at the level trying 186 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 2: to disrupt at knowing that they're gonna be sharp on 187 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 2: the back line with Uh, with Rudy on his rolls 188 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 2: or whoever it is that Draymond's guarding in those situations. 189 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 2: But what that means is that Anthony Edwards's job is 190 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 2: going to be very different as an initiator in this series. 191 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,520 Speaker 2: His ball screen attack is going to be very different. 192 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 2: The Lakers did not try any hedge and recover type 193 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 2: of scheme to protect Luca, meaning like if they screen 194 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 2: with Luca's man, Luca would just switch on to Ant 195 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 2: and they would go. What you will see is if 196 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 2: Ant tries to attack Steph Curry in a ball screen, 197 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 2: Steph's gonna throw a hedge, and then he's gonna get 198 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 2: back to you know, Dante E Vincenzo, Mike Conley, Na Kail, 199 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 2: Alexander Walker, whichever one of those guards that he's guarding. 200 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 2: They're not gonna let Ant just pick on Steph if 201 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 2: they can avoid it. Obviously, guys get wiped out by screens, 202 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 2: and Steph will have to guard Aunt occasionally, whether it's 203 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 2: a transition cross match, on offensive rebound cross match, or 204 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:22,199 Speaker 2: just a really good screen that he is forced to set. 205 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:24,920 Speaker 2: But for the most part, they're not gonna switch with Draymond. 206 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 2: They're not gonna switch with Steph, which means all of 207 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 2: a sudden, Anthony Edwards's passing reads are not just simple 208 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,360 Speaker 2: drive in kick reads. There drop coverage reads. They're being 209 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:36,640 Speaker 2: making the read against that little slip screen to Dante 210 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:39,559 Speaker 2: Devincenzo or Mike Conley every time that Steph is throwing 211 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 2: a hedge. It's just a very different mental job for 212 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 2: Ant in this series. And one of the things we 213 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:49,760 Speaker 2: saw is like if you can with that Dallas Maverick series, 214 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 2: and even at times in the Denver series last year 215 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 2: when Denver was you know, because again Denver controlled that 216 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:57,760 Speaker 2: series for a good half of it. Before you know, 217 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 2: Minnesota pulled away in that series. High drop activity on 218 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 2: Ant at the level was what actually played him into 219 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 2: his worst tendencies. And so it's just gonna be a 220 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:10,200 Speaker 2: very different job. And that's the biggest thing I'll be 221 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 2: watching in game one, just how uncomfortable Steve Kerr can 222 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 2: make Anthony Edwards with his defensive game plan. Draymond's a 223 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 2: master manipulator on defense, making you think he's doing one 224 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 2: thing and then doing another, baiting you, like if if 225 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 2: Ant changes his tactic and decides to start attacking Jimmy 226 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 2: Butler in ball screens and just in gener attacking Quinton 227 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,439 Speaker 2: Post in ball screens and anywhere where Draymond's off the ball, 228 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:35,680 Speaker 2: Draymond will be in the paint, making Ant think he's 229 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 2: in the paint, while always being completely attentive to whatever 230 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:42,320 Speaker 2: would happen on the skip pass or swing pass that 231 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:44,960 Speaker 2: could make Draymond close out to the perimeter. I will 232 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 2: be watching carefully to see just how comfortable Ant looks 233 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 2: offensively in Game one. Steve Curry is going to mix 234 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 2: in that one to three one zone. He's going to 235 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:54,960 Speaker 2: mix in blitzes. I think he'll do a better job 236 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 2: of keeping Ant off balance than JJ Reddick, and that 237 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:02,640 Speaker 2: limited Lakers defensive roster was able to do. The last 238 00:12:02,679 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 2: thing I want to hit here is just more the 239 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 2: on ball like ball pressure piece for Golden State with Ant, 240 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 2: like this is more a question about Golden State's offense 241 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 2: because we know it's going to be Moses Moody or 242 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 2: Brandon Pajemski or Gary Payton, and it's gonna be about 243 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 2: which one of those guys can provide the best combination 244 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:22,160 Speaker 2: of that ball pressure and containment while also being useful 245 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 2: on the other end of the floor, because again, like 246 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:26,520 Speaker 2: we saw in the Houston series, if they end up 247 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:28,960 Speaker 2: having to lean towards Buddy Heeled a lot because the 248 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 2: other guys are not doing anything offensively, that changes some 249 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 2: of the athletic dynamic for this team. Right Like Moody, 250 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 2: I would be tracking Moody's shooting substantially early in the 251 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:42,320 Speaker 2: series because if Moody can't shoot and he can't play, 252 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 2: that's where it gets tricky, because he's the one guy 253 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 2: who really has the combination of the length to bother 254 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 2: Ant's pull up jumper while also having enough mobility to 255 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 2: be a little bit of a deterrent on the ball, 256 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 2: so keep an eye on specifically Moses Moody's shooting early 257 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 2: in the series. Now, a Minnisota is a lot more 258 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 2: versatile than people think. They can attack size mismatches. With 259 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 2: Julius Randall and Nas reed. They have guards that can 260 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 2: get going and scoring as scorers. Dante di Vincenzo can 261 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 2: get going in action. But Golden State did defend their 262 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 2: big forwards well in the regular season. Both Julius and 263 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 2: Nas were well below their season averages and well below 264 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 2: their season efficiency against Golden State. Jada McDaniels didn't have 265 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:26,439 Speaker 2: He shot the ball well from three, but didn't put 266 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 2: up any real high volume scoring against Golden State this season, 267 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 2: but he came on way more as a score in 268 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:35,320 Speaker 2: the later portion of the season after all those Golden 269 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 2: State games, So obviously Jada McDaniels doing more damage as 270 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 2: a score would be an interesting thing that could swing 271 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 2: this series. Golden State is generally good at keeping the 272 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 2: ball in front, which makes this substantially tougher than what 273 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 2: the Lakers matchup looked like. They were able to get 274 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 2: dribble penetration pretty consistently whenever they wanted. Golden State is quick, 275 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 2: they can slide their feet, and they're gonna beat guys 276 00:13:57,559 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 2: to spots. And so I would argue the most important trend, 277 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:04,400 Speaker 2: the most important thing that Minnesota has to do to 278 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:07,600 Speaker 2: flip the regular season trend, which is where Golden State 279 00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 2: won those last three games, is they got to get 280 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:11,719 Speaker 2: their big guys going, They got to get nasried, and 281 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:13,839 Speaker 2: they got to get Julius Randall going because they did 282 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:17,600 Speaker 2: not provide the complimentary scoring to what Anthony Edwards was doing. 283 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 2: In general, Minnesota shot the ball really well or really poorly, 284 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 2: excuse me, from two point range in this regular season matchup. 285 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:27,560 Speaker 2: Even ant Ant did most of his damage behind the 286 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 2: three point line. And so that's that's a testament to 287 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 2: Golden State's defense and the job that they do sliding 288 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,600 Speaker 2: their feet and winning the battle on the ground. But 289 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 2: if in order for Minnesota to win this series, they're 290 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 2: gonna have to get for their front court players going 291 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,240 Speaker 2: in some way on offense. I just think Golden State's 292 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:44,920 Speaker 2: defense is really good and I think they're well equipped 293 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 2: to handle this particular Minnesota team. I think it's going 294 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:51,400 Speaker 2: to be a challenge for Minnesota to score. And like again, guys, 295 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 2: I understand that that the Timberwolves had a very dominant 296 00:14:56,280 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 2: performance against the Lakers. I'm not trying to undercut that specifically, 297 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,800 Speaker 2: but if you get into the details, the Lakers did 298 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 2: slow them down. They did not score super effectively in 299 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:10,680 Speaker 2: that first round series. I'm pulling up the numbers right 300 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:15,040 Speaker 2: now on cleaning the glass because I would just want 301 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 2: to give you guys some perspective. But this is a 302 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 2: team that I do believe the Warriors will be able 303 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 2: to slow down. So just for a basic example, in 304 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 2: the first round series against the Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves 305 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 2: logged a ninety two point one offensive rating in the 306 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 2: half court against that Laker defense. The Houston Rockets averaged 307 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:41,360 Speaker 2: ninety two point four points per one hundred possessions in 308 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:44,000 Speaker 2: the half court against Golden State in the first round. 309 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,960 Speaker 2: So literally, Minnesota scored less effectively in the half court 310 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 2: against Golden State than Houston did against Golden State. Or 311 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:58,520 Speaker 2: excuse me, I just butchered debt. Minnesota averaged more fewer 312 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 2: points per one hundred possessions and half court against the 313 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:04,000 Speaker 2: Lakers than Houston did against Golden State. And so what 314 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 2: that means to me is that Minnesota is going up 315 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 2: a level and the level of defense that they're going against, 316 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 2: and Minnesota's offense can be slowed down when they're stuck 317 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 2: in the half court and they have to process and 318 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 2: it comes down to Anthony Everwards making decisions. And so 319 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 2: I do think Golden State will have extensive success slowing 320 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 2: down Minnesota's offense over the course of this series. So 321 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 2: let's move over to the other side of the ball. 322 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:33,400 Speaker 2: Jada McDaniels is going to get the primary matchup on Steph. 323 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 2: He does a good job of making up for like 324 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 2: he's a little bit upright, like we talked about last 325 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 2: night on playback, Like he's a guy that you know, 326 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 2: you can get shifted side to side, and Steph can 327 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:45,720 Speaker 2: get around every once in a while. The main thing 328 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 2: is Jaden does a good job of just using his 329 00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 2: hands to just kind of keep Steph attached to him. 330 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 2: He does a good job. The biggest problem for Minnesota 331 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 2: isn't their ability to defend Steph straight up with McDaniels. 332 00:16:56,440 --> 00:17:00,080 Speaker 2: It's handling him in any sort of screening action. If 333 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 2: you put Gobert on Draymond, Steph's gonna just run high 334 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:05,880 Speaker 2: ball screens with Draymond, and he's gonna get the ball 335 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:08,520 Speaker 2: to Draymond in the pocket behind Gobert. Now, all of 336 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 2: a sudden, you're playing four on three with Gobert trapped 337 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 2: on the perimeter guarding right like, I think the Wolves 338 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 2: are gonna have to strongly consider putting Rudy Gobert on 339 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,160 Speaker 2: a guy like Moses Moody, even a guy like Gary Payton, 340 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 2: although Gary Payton, as we've seen, can have a lot 341 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 2: of success as a role man. But they're gonna have 342 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:27,640 Speaker 2: to try to keep Gobert close to the rim whenever possible. 343 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 2: If they put Gobert on Draymond, I think that they're 344 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 2: gonna just spam a bunch of high ball screens and 345 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 2: have some success there where I worry about Minnesota, specifically 346 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:41,120 Speaker 2: Nas Reed and Julius Randall. Those two guys did extremely 347 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:43,080 Speaker 2: well defensively in the first round in what was a 348 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:46,160 Speaker 2: very different matchup. The Lakers were just trying to attack 349 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:48,479 Speaker 2: by going one on one, and so it was a 350 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 2: lot of like Julius and Nas on an island guarding 351 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 2: Lebron and Luca and doing a very good job sliding 352 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 2: their feet using their big strength. They're big frames to 353 00:17:58,080 --> 00:18:01,880 Speaker 2: absorb contact in bump Lebron and Luca off of their 354 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,280 Speaker 2: base and force them into tough shots either at the 355 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 2: rim or over the top. That is not what this 356 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 2: offensive matchup is gonna look like. This is gonna be 357 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 2: a lot of Steph Curry attacking them in space. We 358 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:17,120 Speaker 2: went over film examples in our last two playback sessions, 359 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:22,600 Speaker 2: but like Steph pretty consistently destroyed Julius Randall in space 360 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 2: in the regular season when these teams matched up, he 361 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:28,480 Speaker 2: got around Naz Reed whenever he wanted to. He was 362 00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 2: able to move around off ball on those guys and 363 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:34,280 Speaker 2: have success. Nas Julius and even Anthony Edwards to a 364 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:37,359 Speaker 2: little bit, to a certain extent, really struggled to handle 365 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:40,480 Speaker 2: Steph in those like kind of run around situations. And 366 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 2: that really is where this is fundamentally different than the 367 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,120 Speaker 2: Lakers matchup. This is not a one on one matchup 368 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 2: attacking series. This is a ball in player movement series. 369 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 2: But even if it degenerates down to one on one 370 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 2: ball in a late game situation, I think Steph is 371 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 2: gonna feel comfortable attacking Julius Randall in a way that's 372 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 2: different than Luca and Lebron because it's a fundamentally different matchup. 373 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:06,640 Speaker 2: One of the things too, is the Wolves they won 374 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 2: that series by staying out of rotation in against the 375 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 2: Lakers in the situations where the Lakers were able to 376 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:16,120 Speaker 2: get two on the ball. So for instance, in the 377 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:19,359 Speaker 2: there were like there were like fifteen sixteen possessions in 378 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:22,680 Speaker 2: that series where they blitzed Luca. When they blitzed Luca, 379 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:25,640 Speaker 2: the Lakers averaged a one point eighteen offensive rating, which 380 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:28,160 Speaker 2: is really good. When you get the Wolves into rotation, 381 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:31,520 Speaker 2: you can score on them because they're bigger and they 382 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,639 Speaker 2: you know, they can be a little bit susceptible to 383 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 2: quickness on the ground. Right. The problem is that the 384 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 2: Lakers just couldn't get that situation often enough to really 385 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 2: capitalize on it. I think Steph is going to be 386 00:19:43,320 --> 00:19:47,000 Speaker 2: able to consistently either generate one on one advantages against 387 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:50,159 Speaker 2: Nas and Julius in this matchup, or get two to 388 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,400 Speaker 2: the ball and be able to get the Wolves in rotation. 389 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 2: And so I think this is just going to be 390 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 2: a very very different type of matchup in terms of 391 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:01,600 Speaker 2: what Minnesota is dev is going to do. I'm not 392 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:03,959 Speaker 2: worried about them being able to handle Jimmy. I think 393 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 2: they match up really well with Jimmy. I think they 394 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:09,159 Speaker 2: match up really well with the other Warriors guards. But 395 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 2: that Steph Curry problem is the one that I'm worried about. 396 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 2: And this is the last stat that I'll give you, guys, 397 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 2: to drive this home. In the three wins that the 398 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 2: Warriors had against the Wolves in the regular season, Steph 399 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:23,880 Speaker 2: Curry averaged thirty one points per game. He shot forty 400 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 2: nine percent from three, he averaged nine assists per game, 401 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:31,639 Speaker 2: and just one point seven turnovers. And Guys, this was 402 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 2: all before the deadline. This was back when Steph wasn't 403 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:38,159 Speaker 2: playing particularly well. Steph didn't really start regularly hitting these 404 00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:40,760 Speaker 2: numbers until after news of the Jimmy Butler trade came 405 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 2: down to him. Like, Steph in a phase of the 406 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 2: season when he wasn't particularly comfortable, was super comfortable in 407 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 2: this matchup. And that's just something to keep him keep 408 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:53,639 Speaker 2: in mind. No one cares how impressive you looked in 409 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:57,119 Speaker 2: the last round. It ultimately comes down to your ability 410 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 2: to succeed in this individual matchup. Now, one of the 411 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:02,159 Speaker 2: things that I think will be interesting is Minnesota has 412 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,240 Speaker 2: a lineup that they've had a ton of success with 413 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:06,399 Speaker 2: this season that they started using more towards the end 414 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:08,200 Speaker 2: of the year and a lot in the Lakers series, 415 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 2: which is, what if they just take go Bear off 416 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 2: the floor and it turns into nas Red at the 417 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:17,480 Speaker 2: five next to Julius Randall with Dante DiVincenzo on the floor, 418 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:20,639 Speaker 2: more spacing, more ability for them to create opportunity for 419 00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:23,040 Speaker 2: Anthony Edwards and Julius Randall to work one on one. 420 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:27,000 Speaker 2: That's great, but once again, it doesn't work if Steph 421 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:30,959 Speaker 2: can easily attack nas Reid in space and generate easy offense. 422 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:34,160 Speaker 2: The Wolves went to nas Red in crunch time in 423 00:21:34,200 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 2: this season series and couldn't guard Steph. And so that's 424 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:40,200 Speaker 2: where I keep coming down to, like, I was really 425 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 2: on the fence about this series because on the one hand, 426 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 2: I have this big part of me that's like, don't 427 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:49,120 Speaker 2: underestimate the Timberwolves again. Don't make that mistake you did 428 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:52,480 Speaker 2: last year against Denver, you did last year against Phoenix, 429 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 2: you did this year against the Lakers. And I get that, 430 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,720 Speaker 2: and I have this like part of me that's like screaming, like, 431 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 2: don't make that mistake again. But I keep thinking about 432 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:05,520 Speaker 2: the simple dynamic, which is that this is a very 433 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 2: very very good defense in Golden State that should be 434 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 2: able to play Minnesota into some rough stretches on the 435 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:15,119 Speaker 2: offensive end of the four. And I think Steph is 436 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:18,159 Speaker 2: going to be the most comfortable star in the series. 437 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 2: It's not even about versus Steph in a vacuum. It's 438 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:25,160 Speaker 2: just the simple fact that Steph is kind of an 439 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:27,919 Speaker 2: antidote for this particular type of defense because of his 440 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 2: relentless motion and his ability to win on the ground 441 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:33,800 Speaker 2: with quickness. And so this is how I see the 442 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:37,520 Speaker 2: series going. This is my prediction. I think that Game 443 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:41,399 Speaker 2: one tomorrow night is a game that actually could bode 444 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 2: really well for Golden State as an opportunity to steal 445 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,639 Speaker 2: home court advantage. The reason why Wolves haven't played since Wednesday, 446 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:52,360 Speaker 2: and they just played a really really different series. They 447 00:22:52,359 --> 00:22:56,440 Speaker 2: won comfortably, They're riding high. There's a lot of optimism there. 448 00:22:56,760 --> 00:22:59,400 Speaker 2: Golden State's coming in out of a blood bath, which 449 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:02,080 Speaker 2: I actually look at as an advantage in a game one. 450 00:23:02,160 --> 00:23:05,800 Speaker 2: Golden State just played three straight super high stakes games. 451 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 2: Well I call it two straight because they kind of 452 00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:11,119 Speaker 2: punted Game five, but they wanted Game six and they 453 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:13,800 Speaker 2: didn't get it. They needed Game seven and they did. 454 00:23:14,119 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 2: They've been playing super high leverage basketball for the last 455 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,199 Speaker 2: few days, Minnesota has not. I think that gives them 456 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:23,439 Speaker 2: an advantage, and their style is just so different and 457 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:26,080 Speaker 2: so unique. I think it has a chance to catch 458 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:29,000 Speaker 2: Minnesota off guard. So I think Golden State's gonna steal 459 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:32,120 Speaker 2: game one. I think Minnesota get Game two. I think 460 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:34,679 Speaker 2: Golden State will get games three and four back in 461 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 2: Golden State. I think Minnesota gets Game five. And then 462 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:39,119 Speaker 2: the thing that put it over the edge for me 463 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:41,200 Speaker 2: is you have a must win Game six at home 464 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 2: for Golden State and Golden State, the older, more physically 465 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:48,960 Speaker 2: frail team gets three full days off between Game five 466 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 2: and Game six, where they would come out fresh on 467 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:54,560 Speaker 2: their home floor with an opportunity to close out the series. 468 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 2: So for me, I'm going Warriors in six based on 469 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 2: the dynamic that I believe this Warrior's d defense is 470 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 2: capable of really strangling this Minnesota offense, and I think 471 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:08,359 Speaker 2: Steph Curry is a nightmare matchup for Minnesota's defense. I 472 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:10,080 Speaker 2: was on the fence about this. I kept going back 473 00:24:10,119 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 2: and forth. I totally understand why Minnesota's favored. Maybe I'll 474 00:24:13,840 --> 00:24:16,919 Speaker 2: watch Game one and totally feel differently, but I just 475 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 2: have this feeling in my gut that Golden State's gonna 476 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:24,360 Speaker 2: win this series, and it just stems from the matchup 477 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:27,400 Speaker 2: and just how gifted Steph is at attacking this particular 478 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:29,879 Speaker 2: type of defense. So we'll see. Maybe I'll be wrong. 479 00:24:30,240 --> 00:24:32,440 Speaker 2: I was wrong on three of my eight first round 480 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 2: series picks. 481 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:34,439 Speaker 1: But I. 482 00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:38,040 Speaker 2: Can't shake the feeling that Golden State's going to go 483 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:39,520 Speaker 2: to the conference finals. And by the way, this is 484 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:42,119 Speaker 2: a this is not a oh wishful thinking about the 485 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:45,040 Speaker 2: Warriors piece. Like I talked about this last night, I'm playback. 486 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:49,119 Speaker 2: I'm having a really hard time talking myself into any 487 00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:51,639 Speaker 2: type of way for Golden State to beat Oklahoma City. 488 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,199 Speaker 2: Oklahoma City, to me, is a team that has the 489 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:57,359 Speaker 2: same sort of guard speed issue that Houston presented to 490 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:01,960 Speaker 2: Golden State. That they have just even more better guard 491 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,639 Speaker 2: defenders that they can throw at Steph, and they have 492 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:07,840 Speaker 2: rim protection and they have more offensive talent than Houston. Like, 493 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:10,560 Speaker 2: I have a really hard time talking myself into Golden 494 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:13,560 Speaker 2: State having any chance to beat Oklahoma City. But I 495 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:15,479 Speaker 2: do think that they can beat Minnesota. I think this 496 00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:17,720 Speaker 2: is a matchup that they can win, and it's just 497 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 2: based on what I've seen on tape in the dynamics 498 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 2: that I explained in this video. So again, we'll be 499 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:25,920 Speaker 2: covering all the games live on YouTube after Larwriors and six. 500 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:28,000 Speaker 2: Don't feel particularly great about it, but that's where I'm 501 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 2: going right now with my gut. Tonight we are live 502 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:33,960 Speaker 2: after the final buzzer of Nuggets Thunder. I will see 503 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:36,720 Speaker 2: you guys then. What so, guys, As always, I appreciate 504 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 2: you for listening to and supporting OOPS tonight. They would 505 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:41,640 Speaker 2: actually be really helpful for us if you guys would 506 00:25:41,640 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 2: take a second and leave a rating and a review. 507 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:46,359 Speaker 2: As always, I appreciate you guys supporting us, but if 508 00:25:46,359 --> 00:25:48,359 Speaker 2: you could take a minute to do that, I really 509 00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 2: appreciate it. 510 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: The volume