Minnesota (29 - 20)

Expert Pick
0% ><···················· 100%

LA (13 - 35)

'Dead position' clash


Huge matchup here for 2 teams that have built their rosters around a superstar Power Forward also known in the 2k world as the 'dead position'. These teams are on opposite sides of the age spectrum with the Clippers being the youngest team in the league and the Wolves being one of the oldest, they matchup rather well with both squads star players playing the same positions. Minnesota have started the year really strong despite their 2nd star Jimmy Butler who is also having an MVP level season has only played 20 games. The Wolves are led by franchise corner stone Anthony Davis who has followed up on last year's amazing availability with another healthy season knock on wood having played in every game of the Timberwolves season so far, something you'd not usually get from the polarising big man who has been plagued by injury for a lot of his career. Davis is having an MVP and DPOY level season with averages of 28 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.2 steals and 2 blocks per game and has lead the Wolves to a 22 win and 11 loss record. As I always mention with Davis he's one of the hardest players to matchup against in the NSL and this season has been no different. The Clippers have also faced their own adversity with their franchise player Paolo Banchero who has been sidelined all season and will debut for the Clippers this week. Having held down the team as best he can be their other star Jalen Williams whose numbers have come down as the season has gone on, early in the year he was featured in the All NSL team predictions for the first time. Williams has led the Clippers to a respectable record given the circumstances of 11 wins, 23 losses. He is currently averaging a mind blowing efficient 21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists on 50/40/80 splits and should be front running for the most improved player award. Paolo makes his debut this week and we expect him to put up big numbers, he had a huge start to the NBA season which saw his rating soar and we should see that improvement here immediately. Matchups: Cason Wallace vs Cole Anthony Cason Wallace has been an incredible pick for a roster that was starved of some defensive personnel locking down the POA, he's currently one of the best perimeter defenders in 2k and only in his 2nd season. Cole Anthony is a very 2k savvy player much better here than his NBA counterpart mostly due to his athleticism averaging 1. I think Wallace with the size and his skillset will lock Cole completely out of this game. Jalen Williams vs Cam Reddish Jalen Williams has seen a huge jump in his 2k production this season, a very strong finisher, competent defender and somehow an elite jumpshooter? 2k hasn't caught up on his numbers this season yet. Cam Reddish much like his teammate Cole is a much more complete player in 2k however still no match for JDub. Trey Murphy vs Dorian Finney Smith Yet another matchup that will favour the 2k version of these 2, DFS has often been stiffed by the 2k team and is never as productive as he should be. Trey Murphy is the opposite, 2k love him and he's been well looked after not just production wise but he's the biggest 6'8 player model in the game which makes him even more productive. DFS won't have much impact on Trey but I don't expect Trey to get many touches. Paolo Banchero vs Anthony Davis This is where the game is won or lost for both teams, Paolo while young is still a gigantic bull in game and gets to the rim at will on almost anyone. This matchup he meets his match, AD doesn't get bullied by anyone in game, he's always up for the challenge. I can't recall the exact numbers last time these 2 matched up last season but I recall it being very one sided in favour of AD and I'm not sure it goes any different this season. Anthony Davis rules this one. John Collins vs Jonas Valanciunas This will be a good matchup; Collins will have the speed and athleticism advantage and if the Clippers can get stops, he will be a matchup nightmare beating Jonas down the court for easy buckets. Jonas Val will have the advantage in a slower game, he will bully Collins on the block and the Clippers will have to play a fast pace to negate him. I take Val in this matchup due to his rebounding and strength.

Huge matchup here for 2 teams that have built their rosters around a superstar Power Forward also known in the 2k world as the 'dead position'. These teams are on opposite sides of the age spectrum with the Clippers being the youngest team in the league and the Wolves being one of the oldest, they matchup rather well with both squads star players playing the same positions.

Minnesota have started the year really strong despite their 2nd star Jimmy Butler who is also having an MVP level season has only played 20 games. The Wolves are led by franchise corner stone Anthony Davis who has followed up on last year's amazing availability with another healthy season *knock on wood* having played in every game of the Timberwolves season so far, something you'd not usually get from the polarising big man who has been plagued by injury for a lot of his career. Davis is having an MVP and DPOY level season with averages of 28 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.2 steals and 2 blocks per game and has lead the Wolves to a 22 win and 11 loss record. As I always mention with Davis he's one of the hardest players to matchup against in the NSL and this season has been no different.
The Clippers have also faced their own adversity with their franchise player Paolo Banchero who has been sidelined all season and will debut for the Clippers this week. Having held down the team as best he can be their other star Jalen Williams whose numbers have come down as the season has gone on, early in the year he was featured in the All NSL team predictions for the first time. Williams has led the Clippers to a respectable record given the circumstances of 11 wins, 23 losses. He is currently averaging a mind blowing efficient 21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists on 50/40/80 splits and should be front running for the most improved player award. Paolo makes his debut this week and we expect him to put up big numbers, he had a huge start to the NBA season which saw his rating soar and we should see that improvement here immediately.

Matchups:

Cason Wallace vs Cole Anthony
Cason Wallace has been an incredible pick for a roster that was starved of some defensive personnel locking down the POA, he's currently one of the best perimeter defenders in 2k and only in his 2nd season. Cole Anthony is a very 2k savvy player much better here than his NBA counterpart mostly due to his athleticism averaging 1. I think Wallace with the size and his skillset will lock Cole completely out of this game.

Jalen Williams vs Cam Reddish
Jalen Williams has seen a huge jump in his 2k production this season, a very strong finisher, competent defender and somehow an elite jumpshooter? 2k hasn't caught up on his numbers this season yet. Cam Reddish much like his teammate Cole is a much more complete player in 2k however still no match for JDub.

Trey Murphy vs Dorian Finney Smith
Yet another matchup that will favour the 2k version of these 2, DFS has often been stiffed by the 2k team and is never as productive as he should be. Trey Murphy is the opposite, 2k love him and he's been well looked after not just production wise but he's the biggest 6'8 player model in the game which makes him even more productive. DFS won't have much impact on Trey but I don't expect Trey to get many touches.

Paolo Banchero vs Anthony Davis
This is where the game is won or lost for both teams, Paolo while young is still a gigantic bull in game and gets to the rim at will on almost anyone. This matchup he meets his match, AD doesn't get bullied by anyone in game, he's always up for the challenge. I can't recall the exact numbers last time these 2 matched up last season but I recall it being very one sided in favour of AD and I'm not sure it goes any different this season. Anthony Davis rules this one.

John Collins vs Jonas Valanciunas
This will be a good matchup; Collins will have the speed and athleticism advantage and if the Clippers can get stops, he will be a matchup nightmare beating Jonas down the court for easy buckets. Jonas Val will have the advantage in a slower game, he will bully Collins on the block and the Clippers will have to play a fast pace to negate him. I take Val in this matchup due to his rebounding and strength.

Timberwolves Star

Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis as the lone wolf will need to put up at least 40 points to get over the Clippers this week, with the added scoring punch of Paolo back in the Clippers lineup he can only do so much to negate him defensively. He will need to have a huge night to drag this depleted Wolves roster across the line.

PPG 28.6

RPG 11.7

APG 3.3

SPG 1.2

BPG 1.8

FPG 2.0

TPG 1.8

PPG 20.5

RPG 4.6

APG 4.7

SPG 1.0

BPG 0.6

FPG 2.3

TPG 1.7

Clippers Star

Jalen Williams
To win this game they will need a huge performance from JDub, with Minnesota not having star defender Jimmy Butler in the game he has to take advantage of that fact to help the team with Paolo having his hands full with AD.

X-Factor
Bench units. The Clippers currently rank 7th in bench points across the NSL while the Wolves are sitting at the other end of the list at 22nd. Clippers should rule this aspect of the game again and will be a key factor in victory.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Moritz Wagner (Knee Acl) - 16 NBA Games missed this season Kobe Bufkin (Shoulder) - 31 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: John Collins (returning from Knee/Hip) - 13 NBA Games missed this season Paolo Banchero (returning from Oblique) - 33 NBA Games missed this season Tari Eason (returning from Concussion/Leg) - 13 NBA Games missed this season Keyonte George (returning from Foot/Ankle/Heel) - 9 NBA Games missed this season Adama Sanogo (returning from Knee/Injury Management) - 9 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Jimmy Butler (Ankle/Knee/Illness) - 16 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Dorian Finney-Smith (returning from Ankle/Calf/Personal) - 13 NBA Games missed this season

Injury Report

Injured Players:
Moritz Wagner (Knee Acl) - 16 NBA Games missed this season
Kobe Bufkin (Shoulder) - 31 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
John Collins (returning from Knee/Hip) - 13 NBA Games missed this season
Paolo Banchero (returning from Oblique) - 33 NBA Games missed this season
Tari Eason (returning from Concussion/Leg) - 13 NBA Games missed this season
Keyonte George (returning from Foot/Ankle/Heel) - 9 NBA Games missed this season
Adama Sanogo (returning from Knee/Injury Management) - 9 NBA Games missed this season

Injured Players:
Jimmy Butler (Ankle/Knee/Illness) - 16 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Dorian Finney-Smith (returning from Ankle/Calf/Personal) - 13 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
I'll take Minnesota by 7 points with Anthony Davis putting on a 2 way masterclass

	MIL	93
	PHI	89

	POR	100
	PHO	113

	MEM	109
	CHA	107

	MIL	109
	MIN	104

	SAC	108
	LAC	120