Game 2: Minnesota @ New York

CelticBalla32 · Nov 4, 2007

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November 4, 2007 @ 6:00pm ET
Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
Game aired on MSGHD (NY) & FSNN (MN)

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Minnesota Timberwolves
 (0-1)


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New York Knicks
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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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PG Telfair SG McCants

SF Gomes PF Jefferson C Ratliff


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PG Marbury SG Crawford

SF Richardson PF Randolph C Curry

 
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<h4>Team Stats</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>91.0 PPG (25th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>39.8% (27th)</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>31.8% (22nd)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>40.0 RPG (23rd)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>23.0 APG (7th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>106.0 PPG (8th)
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>46.2% (14th)
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>53.3% (2nd)
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>43.0 RPG (18th)
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>20.0 APG (22nd)
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<h4>Team Leaders</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Rashad McCants (23.0 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Al Jefferson (13.0 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Sebastian Telfair (5.0 APG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Jamal Crawford (25.0 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Zach Randolph (14.0 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Jamal Crawford (6.0 APG)</td>
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<h4>Key Matchup
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Al Jefferson vs. Zach Randolph

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These two guys are both among the top 5 pure low-post scorers in the league, without question. Al Jefferson's natural gifts on the block are second to none, and Randolph is a legit 20 a night himself. Both of them need to improve defensively, but I wish I was able to watch this game - seeing these two go at it inside should be a show.

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<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
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<ul>[*]Toughen/Smarten Up Inside: Ratliff, Jefferson, Smith, Gomes, and even Walker need to really play physical yet smart defense on these guys. New York's front court tandem of Randolph/Curry is a nightmare to defend and bang with, then they've got a double-double off the bench in Lee. The Wolves need to make sure they play smart enough to stay out of foul trouble, yet physical enough to send them a message.

[*]Attack: The young and energetic Wolves undoubtedly have the speed and athleticism advantages, and they need to make sure they take advantage of it. They need to push the ball, outrun them, and attack the basket.

[*]Ball Movement: The only guy you can really count on to move the ball and get people open shots is Telfair. He can't do it all himself, everybody needs to play unselfish ball and hit the open man. Telfair's drive-and-kick abilities are very important tonight, and he needs to make sure he uses it. The rest of the guys need to make sure they don't force much and keep the ball moving if they don't have an opportunity.[/list]
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<ul>[*]Kill Them Inside: Minnesota has Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, and a bunch of undersized PF's. Giving them a beating inside is an absolute must for the Knicks. Bang them around, get them in foul trouble, keep them off the boards, and don't give them anything easy on offense.

[*]Play Unselfishly: This is something the Knicks have had a big problem with over the past few years, and while I don't expect it to change, it has to be mentioned. Guys need to move the ball and play as a team, not as individuals. Even Stephon Marbury, the point guard of the team mind you, recently came out and said he's going to look for his shot more? Why? Pass the ball and be the playmaker.

[*]Energy: Other than Nate Robinson, David Lee, and Renaldo Balkman, every time I watch the Knicks, they seem to dog it. They need to play with a level of intensity, work hard, and buckle down defensively - especially against a fast-paced and energetic group like the young Timberwolves. I'm far from a Knicks supporter, but they need to wake up.
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<h4 align="center">X-Factors</h4>
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 Sebastian Telfair

Bassy always has big games when he plays in the Garden, because he's from Coney Island and wants to impress his family & friends. A big game from Telfair would mean a lot to the Wolves, as well as himself, tonight.

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 Stephon Marbury

Stephon needs to pick it up. He was benched vs. Cleveland for playing lackluster defense and failing to execute offensively. With a big size advantage over his little cousin Sebastian Telfair, he needs to step up and get his team a W.

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<h4 align="center">Injury Report
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Randy Foye: Left knee.

Mark Madsen: Sore shoulder.

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Jared Jeffries: Sprained right knee.



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<h4>Prediction</h4>
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<td colspan="2">I think the Knicks will get their first win of the season. They are bigger, stronger, tougher, and more experienced to the Minnesota Timberpuppies, and I think they'll win this game by double-digits.
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CelticBalla32 · Nov 4, 2007

Tim, if you're around, I'd love some updates. If not, let me know how the guys did after the game.

high54life · Nov 4, 2007

I saw this game CB32 and let me say one thing, they could not stop Jamal Crawford. Crawford was abusing Jaric and McCants every possession. Telfair played relatively well like he always does at the Garden. And also, Buckner was hitting threes and playing awesome defense. Gomes was doing great himself, looks like he's developed some range. Also, Green got his first action. He played 34 seconds and had a nice little pass to Jefferson but Al missed the hook. Brewer had a filthy block, you'll see in the highlights.

CelticBalla32 · Nov 4, 2007

How did you watch the game, High5? I thought you said you didn't have league pass? I believe you, just wondering.

GArenas · Nov 4, 2007

I saw some of this game, it was a pretty messy basketball game. There was little set offense and alot of bad shots but Crawford was feeling it so those shots were falling. This Knicks team doesn't seem like they have set offensive scoring options at all anymore. The Timberwolves are that young team that plays with all-heart right now. This team isn't ready to compete and will most likely win 25-30 games.

CelticBalla32 · Nov 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas)</div><div class='quotemain'>

I saw some of this game, it was a pretty messy basketball game. There was little set offense and alot of bad shots but Crawford was feeling it so those shots were falling. This Knicks team doesn't seem like they have set offensive scoring options at all anymore. The Timberwolves are that young team that plays with all-heart right now. This team isn't ready to compete and will most likely win 25-30 games.

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Yeah, but Wolves fans will enjoy it. As a Celtics fan, believe me, I know what it's like watching young guys grow, heh. It's a long process, but it's very enjoyable. Minnesota is loaded with young talent, and if even four of them pan out to some degree, they're going to be a very solid team for a long time.

high54life · Nov 5, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32)</div><div class='quotemain'>

How did you watch the game, High5? I thought you said you didn't have league pass? I believe you, just wondering.

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NBATV subscribers occasionally get a free preview of League Pass, and I was glad I caught this game.

tim · Nov 5, 2007

Hey, sorry I couldn't get here sooner, busy weekend! No one could play any defense (other than Ratliff).Crawford killed us all game. I have a newfound respect for Eddy Curry. It seems like he has trul come around as a top notch center in the NBA. It really hurt us when McCants fouled out. Buckner played well though. Telfair once again had a solid game with I believe 6 assists and 0 turnovers. The difference in free throws is a little strange.(39-10). Overall I hope that once Foye gets back, I'm hoping that the tempo will always be high all the time. That will only happen when we BENCH MARKO.

CelticBalla32 · Nov 5, 2007

Tim, good news - I would have to hound you for Wolves player updates anymore. I can watch games now, and I'll definitely be tuning in for tomorrow's game vs. Orlando (working on the game thread right now, too).

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Game 2: Minnesota @ New York

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

high54life Sky's The Limit

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

high54life Sky's The Limit

tim Respect JPJ

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

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Game 2: Minnesota @ New York

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

high54life Sky's The Limit

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

high54life Sky's The Limit

tim Respect JPJ

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

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