Timberwolves(13-9) @ Celtics(12-12) Tuesday, Dec. 15 7:00 pm <font size="3">Preview by <font color="Red">twolvesfan11</font> and <font color="Green">BC</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 by <font color="Red">twolvefan11</font></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 by <font color="Green">BC</font></u> The Celtics have played great lately, but this will be a tough game. The Celtics need to be able to limit Garnett's rebounding, KG will get his points but if he gives The Twoplves a lot of second chance oppurtunities the Celtics are done. Pierce needs to have another big game to give them a chance to win; he's played amazing in the last week and needs it to carry over tonight. Another major key to the game will be bench scoring, the Celtics bench is very inconsistent, if Eric Williams, Marc Blount, and Marcus Banks have good games the Celtics have a good chance to win. <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><font color="Red">twolvefan11</font>'s prediction</u> Timberwolves 97 Celtics 91 <u><font color="Red">BC</font>'s prediction</u> Timberwolves 86 Celtics 79
My Predictions: Celtics Vin Baker 15 pts 8 reb Paul Pierce 32 pts 8 reb 4 ast T'Wolves Kevin Garnett 26 pts 16 reb 3 ast Latrell Sprewell 19 pts 5 reb 5 ast T'Wolves 89 Celtics 97<
