Details: Who: (13-13) vs (18-9) Where: Key Arena When: Sat, Dec 27rd, 7pm TV: KONG, NBALP Projected Lineups: PG: Antonio Daniels/Luke Ridnour* SG: Ronald Murray/Ray Allen/Richie Frahm SF: Rashard Lewis/Ansu Sesay/Vladimir Radmanovic PF: Vladimir Radmanovic/Reggie Evans/Vitaly Potapenko C: Jerome James/Calvin Booth/Vitaly Potapenko * Seattle's usual starting point guard, Brent Barry, will be a game time decision. Coached by Nate McMillan PG: Sam Cassell/Troy Hudson/Keith McLeod SG: Trenton Hassell/Fred Hoiberg SF: Latrell Sprewell/Gary Trent/Ndudi Ebi PF: Kevin Garnett/Gary Trent/Mark Madsen C: Ervin Johnson/Oliver Miller Coached by Flip Saunders Injury List: Nick Collison: shoulder, season. Brent Barry: strained left hip flexor, probable. Sun Injury List Michael Olowokandi: right knee surgery, on IL. Wally Szczerbiak: strained plantar fascia in left foot, on IL. Analysis: Two of the NBA's form teams come to the fore in this one. Minnesota have won six straight, including an impressive overtime win against Sacramento at ARCO Arena, and rightly come into this one as favourites. Seattle's record isn't eye-catching, smack bang on .500 at 13-13, but they come off a confidence boosting win in Denver, and a 26 point demolition job of Phoenix. Ray Allen is also back, and immediately made his presence felt against the Suns with 24 points (8-13 shooting) and 7 assists in only 23 minutes. He should see more time against Latrell Sprewell and the Timberwolves, and this will give the Sonics more confidence against one of the elite teams going around. Flashback: Remember this Minnesota fans? With the scores tied at 87 on November 11, at the Target Centre, Flip Murray went left and nailed an 18 footer over Latrell Sprewell, to cap off a then career high and take Seattle to 4-1. Since then the Sonics have gone 9-12 to fall out of the playoff picture. Can they get back on track here? [quoteright]?This is a great group of guys. I had no idea that there were some of the personalities on this team that they have, which makes it a lot easier to play with on the floor. Off the floor, it?s enjoyable. Being on the bus, on the plane, laughing and joking, makes it even more fun.? - Seattle FA signing Antonio Daniels on his Seattle teammates.[/QUOTERIGHT] Key Factor: Seattle have to buck up on the defensive end here, or they could theoretically get blown out. In the past it seemed easy; double Kevin Garnett and look to limit his effect, and a win was likely. As good as Garnett is, the bottom line is he needed help, and now he has it. Latrell Sprewell, Michael Olowokandi (injured) and Latrell Sprewell were all aquired through trade and free agency, and the result is teams can no longer afford to focus so heavily on MVP candidate Garnett. Will this spell disaster for Seattle? Not only do they not have the defensive players to match-up on Garnett, the form of Cassell and Sprewell ensures the Sonics will have to be wide awake on the defensive end. Antonio Daniels will likely get Cassell, Ray Allen will get Sprewell and Lewis may match-up on Garnett, and all three will have to help each other and rely on Jerome James and Calvin Booth staying out of foul trouble, and guarding the basket. You can't stop KG, but if you don't contain his teammates as well then you are in trouble. Key Matchup: Rashard Lewis vs Kevin Garnett Last time the Wolves double and triple teamed Lewis, and were guilty of this when Murray nailed the gamewinner. They may not be so hasty to guard Lewis in this one however, as Garnett has the length and abilities to completely shut Lewis down, who comes in on the back of a 22/13 game against Phoenix, and his sidekick Ray Allen is back and commanding attention. Lewis needs to use his first step and speed to penetrate, and hopefully get Garnett in foul trouble, who is having another dominant, MVP worthy season. Garnett will look to isolate Lewis, and especially look to post him up and use his size advantage accordingly. Lewis will want teammates Radmanovic, who is slumping, Allen and Murray to all fire, meaning the defense cannot focus as much on him. X-Factors: Antonio Daniels - averaging 11 and 7 since coming into the starting line-up, Daniels remains the Sonics' best perimeter defender and will likely see a lot of time on the in-form Cassell. He is shooting over 40% from donwtown also, which means Cassell cannot disrespect his shot and play the passing lanes too often. Gary Trent - once dubbed a 'mini-Shaq', Trent isn't quite so polished, but does have the build and toughness. When he wants to be, Trent is capable of banging it down low and clearing the key way for Cassell, Sprewell and Hudson to penetrate, and a weak inside team like the Sonics will get him salivating. <font size="1">Player photos and logo images courtesy of NBA.com </font> My personal opinion is that the Timberwolves have to much fire power for the Sonics to handle, and I think they will win this one by 5 or more.
I predict a Timberwolves win. Theres just going to be too much KG. Ranks #1 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds(295.0) Ranks #1 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds Per Game(10.9) Ranks #1 in the NBA in Total Rebounds(372.0) Ranks #1 in the NBA in Total Efficiency Points(898.0) Ranks #1 in the NBA in Efficiency Ranking(33.26) Ranks #1 in the NBA in Efficiency Ranking Per 48 Minutes(40.32
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The Prophecy:</div><div class="quote_post">Great preview. Kg is just too dominant, and with Spree hot, no one can stop them. Sonics by 6.</div> They cant be stopped well portland did last night. And sprewell isnt really that hot he is just throwing up alot of shots and it kind of hurts the team. The T-wolves play play the best when Cassell or Kg leads them in shots taken& points scored, they shoot a way better % than spree.
Sonics were LUCKY to win last time... Hopefully the Wolves will return the favor as it they really need the win to keep pace with the streaking Spurs.
Since this game is going to be played in Seattle, I predict a narrow win for the Sonics. Wolves lose 2 straight.
Supersonics 86, Timberwolves 104 Good game all around for the Wolves, everyone contributed. Garnett led the game with 28 points and gobbled up 14 rebounds, and added in 5 assists. Cassell chipped in with 20 points, 8 assists, and 6 boards. Sprewell had 12 points and 5 assists. Hoiberg was hot off the bench, going 6-9 scoring 14 points. Oliver Miller came off the bench getting 8 points and 8 rebounds. But folks, the story here is Ebi, scoring 2 points and grabbing 2 rebounds in only 1 minute. Rashard Lewis had 16 points for the Sonics, and Ray Allen contributed with 15 points, each grabbing 7 rebounds. Troy Hudson did not play, he must be injured, I hope he gets well soon. Well, at least we know that Portland game last night was a fluke. Recap Box Score
Great game. Garnett showed once again why he is an elite player in this league. Im also happy to see Oliver Miller is doing pretty good.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting the MDE:</div><div class="quote_post">Since this game is going to be played in Seattle, I predict a narrow win for the Sonics. Wolves lose 2 straight.</div> Ahhh too bad... nice try on the prediction tho.
