Timberwolves @ Knicks Tuesday , 23 dec 7:30 PM Probable Starters Sam Cassell/ Howard Eisley Trenton Hassell/ Allan Houston Latrell Sprewell/ Keith Van Horn Kevin Garnett / Antonio McDyess Oliver Miller/ Dikembe Mutombo Key Matchup Two guys who can light it up when they are hot. I'd like to see how Sprewell can defend Van Horn. Sixth Man Fred Hoiberg/ Kurt Thomas Hoiberg can provide a consistent shooting touch from the bench for the Timberwolves and Thomas can be a force underneath the basket and may be used to contain Garnett. Timberwolves' key to the game Get the ball to the post and let Garnett do the work. When they double team him he can easily pass out to an open Sprewell or Cassell for an easy jump shot. When they're on a stroke and Garnett's doing his regular thing, the Wolves should be able to win the game quite easy. Knicks key to the game Try to contain Garnett and get Van Horn and Houston on a stroke. Houston can still fill it up when he's hot. They should try to stop Garnett with a combination Mutombo-Thomas-McDyess. Altough it ain't easy,they should at least try it, and come out with the win. <font color="Red"> ThaLord's Prediction </font> If Garnett doesn't get injured and Cassell and Spree are able to shoot above 40% the Wolves should win it easy. The Knicks on the other hand could be pumped up after the new acquisition of General Manager Isiah Thomas. Look for the Knicks to rely on McDyess to do some damage but with Garnett guarding him that won't be easy. Wolves by 15.
The Key to tonights game is most def Sprewell. Sprewell must not try & score a bunch of points against his old team by messing up the flow of the T-wolves offense. Everything set up for him to try and go for a really big game.Its in the Garden & the Last time the Knicks played the T-wolves Spree had a horrible game. I have a feeling he is going to try and throw up about 20 plus shots tonight. If he does I dont think the t-wolves will win.The t-wolves offense & total game flows better when they have alot of ball movement they are the #1 assist team. Sprewell has to remember that. The T-wolves play better when Sprewell is their 3rd scorer.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">The Key to tonights game is most def Sprewell. Sprewell must not try & score a bunch of points against his old team by messing up the flow of the T-wolves offense. Everything set up for him to try and go for a really big game.Its in the Garden & the Last time the Knicks played the T-wolves Spree had a horrible game. I have a feeling he is going to try and throw up about 20 plus shots tonight. If he does I dont think the t-wolves will win.The t-wolves offense & total game flows better when they have alot of ball movement they are the #1 assist team. Sprewell has to remember that. The T-wolves play better when Sprewell is their 3rd scorer.</div> Yeah, you're right. I hope Spree can remember that he's only option #3 behind KG and Cassell. But if he can play an unselfish game the Wolves should definately come out on top.
I think Sam Cassell will be the X-Factor tonight. He is going against Howard Eisley so Cassell should be able to take advantage of him especially on offense. I think Sam will have a high-scoring game tonight of 25+. You know Sprewell will be pumped up about tonights game, since they will be playing in Madison Square Garden. He will attempt to put on a big show for everyone. I think a problem the Wolves might have tonight is Sprewell trying to do it all by himself. None the less, I predict a Timberwolves victory tonight.
You think the Knicks would try to guard Sam with Allan Houston? Then Eisley would guard Trenton Hassell... Great matchup
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dexter:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Sam Cassell will be the X-Factor tonight. He is going against Howard Eisley so Cassell should be able to take advantage of him especially on offense. I think Sam will have a high-scoring game tonight of 25+. You know Sprewell will be pumped up about tonights game, since they will be playing in Madison Square Garden. He will attempt to put on a big show for everyone. I think a problem the Wolves might have tonight is Sprewell trying to do it all by himself. None the less, I predict a Timberwolves victory tonight.</div> Yeah Sam always goes for like 20plus against the Knicks. All he does is take little Eisley & Ward in the post. Thats two easy for him. Sometimes Shannon Anderson guards him because he is the Knicks best perimeter defender. If the Knicks put Shannon Anderson on Sam that will leave spree with a match up against Allan Houston & Trenton Hassell being guarded by Ward or Eisley. Those are two mismatches in favor of the T-wolves. They must take advantage.
T-wolves should win by about 10. However, KG needs to play some minutes in the paint because Oliver Miller won't get it done.
I think Garnett and Cassell know this is going to be Spree's night and are probably going to give him a couple extra shoots and look for him more. I see no reason why the Wolves streak ends with the Knicks as long as Spree doesnt go wild. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If Garnett doesn't get injured </div> Is there some kinda hieghten chance he might get injuried? Good preview.
This is Spree's night..I expect him to steal the spotlight and rightfully so.He did alot for the Knicks and the city of New York.He should get a standing O from the Knicks crowd tonight
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting purehoops:</div><div class="quote_post"> Is there some kinda hieghten chance he might get injuried? </div> Nah, I just tought that would be one of the few reasons the Knicks could get the win tonight
Wolves are WAY to hot right now to let the Knicks upset them again. The only way the Knicks can get relatively close is if they shut down Cassell and/or KG, which won't happen. This game is hyped because it is Sprewell's first game back at Madison Square Garden since the trade. I want Sprewell to be the leading scorer, just because it would be the sweetest revenge. Can't wait.
Wolves win this game by blowout. Knicks were out of it in the beginning. Garnett has a triple double. :mrgreen:
Sweet, sweet revenge! Sprewell scores 31 in the Timberwolves 98-92 victory over the Knicks. Cassell helped out with 31 of his own and added 5 assists. Garnett chipped in with 22 points and 13 boards. Hudson wasn't that great off the bench, only playing 10 minutes with 2 points. Houston scored 26 for the Knicks, but wasn't enough. Loved every minute of it! Recap Box Score
What a great win. Spree is back. Kg is usual self. This Twolve team can create some excitment. Heck, even Oliver Miller played 26 minutes.
Holy crap! Wolves are starting to howl. But dang, somebody calm down Spree. He was throwing out f-bombs at the Knick's bench the whole game...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting the MDE:</div><div class="quote_post">Holy crap! Wolves are starting to howl. But dang, somebody calm down Spree. He was throwing out f-bombs at the Knick's bench the whole game... </div> After that warm welcoming, he pulls that. It was awesome, though, especially doing it in New York, where fans go insane.
The Wolves get 14 from players other than Spree-KG-Sam, and they still come up with the win. Impressive :thumbsup:
Wolves rolling... Good for Spree to get those 31, as I expected for him to put up above average numbers.
