First, I just think it's ridiculous to attack Joerger for resting his starters. If the bench would have been good enough to get the game within 10 points with, say, seven or eight minutes remaining in the game, sure, I think Joerger would have put in the starters. But the bench wasn't good enough. The bench is pretty mediocre right now, imo. Joerger knows the pulse of this team. He knows whether guys are extremely tired or not. Deference has to be given to Joerger.
As far a minutes and how tired this team should or should not be, you must start with Fox in analyzing the situation. Let's face it, he's the motor that runs this train. He plays an average of 31.6 minutes a game, tied for 52nd place in the league. He's within earshot of guys like Curry, Mitchell and Irving. He's 20 years old, with a thin frame, and unlike those other guys I mentioned, he's running his a$$ off pushing the pace, playing MVP defense, playing quarterback, and carrying this team offensively. Would it be surprising if he were very tired? Of course not. He's a sprinter, not a quarter-miler. The weak bench, which appears to be weaker in away-games, has got to get stronger for there to be more success in these back to backs. If Joerger would have been playing Fox in this game, down by 30+ points with a quarter and a half to go, yelling at him to push the pace, then I'd really be wondering what kind of judgment Joerger had. You just can't run your thoroughbred into the ground.