Timberwolves(13-9) @ Celtics(12-12) Tuesday, Dec. 15 7:00 pm <font size="3">Preview by <font color="Red">twolvesfan11</font></font> <u>Probable Starters</u> Mike James/Sam Cassell Paul Pierce/Latrell Sprewell Jiri Welsch/Trenton Hassell Vin Baker/Kevin Garnett Tony Battie/Michael Olowokandi <u>Match-up overview</u> Ervin Johnson vs. Tony Battie Battie will win this matchup both on offense and defense. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets 15+ points this game. Johnson might not even start, they might start Olowokandi's replacement, Oliver Miller. Either way, Battie wins this matchup. Kevin Garnett vs. Vin Baker The new thin Vin has been playing good basketball as of late, but KG will just be to much for him. Garnett will get his usual 20, 10, and 5 tonight, but not much more than that. Trenton Hassell vs. Jiri Welsch Hassell will take this matchup. Hassell has all the defensive tools to stop Welsch, and at that, I don't expect Welsch to score even 5 points in the game. Latrell Sprewell vs. Paul Pierce This is probably the best matchup in this game. Pierce has really stepped up his play this season and is leading a sub par Celtics team to a .500 record. Pierce wins this matchup, but Spree still could go off. Sam Cassell vs. Mike James Sam Cassell will go off in this game. I see him getting at least 25 in this game, also getting around 7 assists. James will have his hands full Monday. And on the other end, James will have trouble scoring with Cassell in his face all night. <u>Celtics keys to the game</u> They need to contain Garnett. They will probably try to double team him down low on almost every play. But that will leave Cassell or Sprewell open, so they will have to play zone defense. They also need to control the boards in this one as well. Getting Garnett off the boards will be the main key to victory in this game. <u>Timberwolves keys to the game by <font color="Red">twolvesfan11</font></u> Shut down Pierce. Without Pierce, they won't be able to do a thing. Paul has been their glue this season, and without their glue, they will fall apart. Sprewell is a good enough defender to keep up with Pierce, but expect a double team on him almost every time down the court. <u>Prediction</u> I have to give this one to my Wolves. They are finally getting good team chemistry, and learning how to put all three of their superstars to good use. Garnett, Sprewell, and Cassell have had at least 20 apiece the last four games, and I see that continuing against the Celtics. Timberwolves 97 Celtics 91
I love when Cassell & Van Excel play each other, because they are so close off the court. They both said that the player who out plays the other during the season doesnt stop talking tarsh all off season until the next time the meet. they both usally step their games up. Recently there havent really been any good matchups between the 2 because Van Excel was coming off the bench in Dallas & he had alot of injury, combine that with the fact same played in the East & Van Excel West(Bucks/Mavs only played each other twice)they seem to miss out on facing one anither. But this time around Van Excel will be starting & his knee look good sat against the Knicks. And Cassell is looking like he surpose to(got off to a slow start adjusting to his new team).this should be an excellent matchup. Expect these 2 to really go at it in the 4qter. They are 2 of the best 4qter players in the business.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DDC:</div><div class="quote_post">You think Kandi will play tonight? Unfortunately, I doubt it...</div> You never know when Flip will play him. He can play, but we want to rest him up a little, so I just put him in there for insurance. Flip mixes up the lineup a lot, he hasn't had a consistent one yet.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">I love when Cassell & Van Excel play each other.</div>Yes, one of the better match ups in the NBA. I love seeing these guys go back and forth with eachother, it adds to the game. Hopefully Van Exel has the last laugh.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, one of the better match ups in the NBA. I love seeing these guys go back and forth with eachother, it adds to the game. Hopefully Van Exel has the last laugh.</div> Never,but I still love Nick the Quick.But when his playing Sam, Van Excel is still the enemy
Warriors escape by 3. A huge shot as time expired from Jason Richardson broke the tie and gave Golden State the win. HUGE!!!!!!
Man, that was heartcrushing. Here is the box score: http://www.nba.com/games/20031209/GSWMIN/boxscore.html
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting the MDE:</div><div class="quote_post">Warriors escape by 3. A huge shot as time expired from Jason Richardson broke the tie and gave Golden State the win. HUGE!!!!!!</div>It was HUGE! Thats a shot the Warriors miss last year and a game they lose in OT. This team is maturing. KG did everything he could to get the Wolves the win. The Wolves were all standing around waiting for KG to do it all. They need some players to step it up. KG is an animal and is unstopable, but if you are able to shut down the other players around him then you will be successful as the Warriors were tonight.
I blame Sam Cassell for this one, he completely turned his head while guarding Van Exel, so Nick just drove right passed him, J-Rich's man had to come off of him to help, leaving him wide open for the game winner. He should know better.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sandman:</div><div class="quote_post">I blame Sam Cassell for this one, he completely turned his head while guarding Van Exel, so Nick just drove right passed him, J-Rich's man had to come off of him to help, leaving him wide open for the game winner. He should know better.</div> Sam is my man & I usually defend him no matter what but I have to agree with you on this one. It was stupid of him to look behind him to see how much time was on the clock. Sam played a good game overall(17pts & 12ast). but that one dumb play cost his team a chance to go to OT & win it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sandman:</div><div class="quote_post">I blame Sam Cassell for this one, he completely turned his head while guarding Van Exel, so Nick just drove right passed him, J-Rich's man had to come off of him to help, leaving him wide open for the game winner. He should know better.</div>Yes, bonehead play by Cassel, great play by NVE. Veterans see opportunities and take advantage of them and great players hit clutch shots. I guess Nick Van Exel had the last laugh.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">he completely turned his head while guarding Van Exel</div> Look on the bright side at least Sam is actually trying to guard people now.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Look on the bright side at least Sam is actually trying to guard people now.</div> ha, if you call that guarding
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sandman:</div><div class="quote_post">ha, if you call that guarding</div> Ok, Ok, we can stop with the Sam comments already. BTW arent you King James AKA Lebron's nutt sack. Lets be for real, its not like Lebron is going to win any medals for his defense, so please.
