StribSports Daily Delivery Michael Rand

On Part II of Thursday's Daily Delivery podcast, host Michael Rand and Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine break down the run Minnesota has been on in the playoffs.
After sweeping the Suns, the Wolves moved on to Denver and took the first two games of that series. The most impressive feat -- winning 106-80 in Game 2 without Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert -- galvanized the Wolves and brought even more positive national attention to Minnesota.
Can they sustain that in Game 3 at Target Center? And what does Denver have left in the tank?

Introduction: In part one of Thursday's huge lineup, host Michael Rand looks at what has been powering the Twins, who have won 14 of their last 16 games -- including a 6-3 win on Wednesday -- to improve to 21-15 overall and just 2.5 games back in the AL Central. A big part of it is the hitting of Ryan Jeffers, who is fourth in the majors in slugging percentage. And Chris Paddack won his fourth decision in a row in Wednesday's victory.
8:00: Bally Sports North General Manager Randy Stephens joins the show to offer BSN's perspective on the pricing dispute with Comcast that led to Bally Sports channels being removed nationwide from Comcast last week. What is Stephens' message to Twins fans, and where do we go from here?
21:00: NBA teams losing their cool.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand revisits the arc of Rudy Gobert's career. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards in Utah, then didn't even get a vote for the all-defense team last year in his first season with Minnesota. Now he's won DPOY for the fourth time, along with completely changing the defensive culture with the red-hot Wolves. Plus Jamal Murray gets hit with a $100,000 fine.
7:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand to revisit the NFL draft and how it went from both the Vikings' perspective and that of new Falcons QB Kirk Cousins. Goessling has insights into the timeline for rookie QB J.J. McCarthy as well as thoughts on what edge rusher Dallas Turner will bring to the mix.
33:00: A boring night in the lottery for the Wild, and the WNBA gets a big travel boost.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand goes deep on Monday's dominant 106-80 Timberwolves victory in Denver that gave Minnesota a commanding 2-0 lead coming back to Target Center for Friday's Game 3. The defense was suffocating even without Rudy Gobert, while the Nuggets lost their composure and seem discombobulated. This is an unfamiliar feeling for Minnesota sports fans, and the joy is contagious.
14:00: Jon Marthaler joins the show to break down Minnesota United's strong start. Whether it's tactical changes, strong defense or good vibes, something feels different about the Loons. And they're doing it without Emanuel Reynoso, who is out of sight, out of mind at the moment. Come for the soccer talk, stay for the mid-2000s Gophers basketball references.
34:00: Sorting out how Twins fans are dealing with Comcast dropping Bally Sports North.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which of course starts with the Timberwolves' impressive Game 1 conference semifinal victory over the Nuggets. Anthony Edwards was tremendous, as was the defense. It puts Denver in a must-win situation going into Game 2 on Monday.
Reusse and Rand also get into the Twins' 12-game winning streak, which ended Sunday, plus the history of past streaks and the mess that is the team's TV situation.
And somehow a discussion of PWHL Minnesota led to remembering the Minneapolis Lakers.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand sets up the second-round playoff series between the Wolves and Nuggets through the eyes (and quotes) of Karl-Anthony Towns. It's been a nine-year journey for KAT to get to the second round, and it's a lesson in continuity.
11:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller joins Rand to discuss three compelling story lines. The Twins have won 10 games in a row, and the competition will get tougher with Boston coming to town on what should be a beautiful night at Target Field Friday. We should get an update on Byron Buxton's injury Friday as well. But the TV issue between Comcast and Bally Sports, which has left a lot of Twins fans without access to games, is looming over it all.
34:00: The Wolves ownership dispute heads to arbitration, while the Lynx and PWHL Minnesota have key games Saturday.