It looked like the Minnesota Timberwolves had finally overcome their constant turnover problems. And then they committed 25 turnovers in their Game 5 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Heading into a Game 6 where the Wolves have a chance to close out the series, it's likely they will have to double down on playing Mike Conley largely due to these turnover concerns.
In the wake of injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, it wasn't a surprise that Conley saw an increased role. He played 16:52 minutes in Game 5, but if the Wolves' turnover woes continue, they might be forced to play Conley even more in Game 6.
Currently, Ayo Dosunmu is listed as questionable for Game 6, which could further the need to play Conley more. Even if these two players are healthy, I would expect Conley to get a bump in minutes.
Mike Conley is set to play a large role in a crucial Game 6
Chris Finch's loyalty to Conley has bothered observers (including myself) throughout the season. However, if the Wolves' turnover problems persist and as the team deals with injuries, I can see the logic of playing Conley a significant role.
While showing clear signs of decline as a shot creator and defender, Conley remains a stabilizing playmaking force.
Many of the Timberwolves' turnovers were self-inflicted on Monday. Still, the Nuggets did a better job of playing the gaps and doubling Minnesota's ball handlers. As such, the Wolves' turnover problems may continue.
Playing Conley comes with its risks, though. Throughout the series, the Wolves' biggest advantage has been their speed and athleticism. Playing the 38-year-old Conley sizable minutes negates this advantage.
The trade-off is, though, if you don't give Conley real minutes, you run the risk of another high turnover game, which would significantly hinder your chances of closing out the series. And frankly, considering the Wolves' injury problems, there's no clear alternative to playing Conley big minutes.
At the very least, I expect Conley's minutes to remain within a similar range, but the most likely scenario is that Conley gets a bump in minutes. The concerns with his athleticism and pace are valid. However, at the end of the day, Finch trusts him, and the Wolves can't repeat the same mistakes they made on Monday night.
Ultimately, for better or worse, the Wolves will be leaning on Conley with the possibility of advancing to the second-round.
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