Chicago Bulls @ Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday, Dec. 30 7:00 pm Target Center Projected Lineups: Kirk Hinrich/Sam Cassell Jamal Crawford/Latrell Sprewell Kendall Gill/Trenton Hassell Antonio Davis/Kevin Garnett Eddy Curry/Oliver Miller Injured: Timberwolves Wally Szczerbiak(foot) Michael Olowokandi(leg) Bulls Tyson Chandler(lower back) Scottie Pippen(Knee) Jay Williams(Pelvis) Key Matchup: vs. Why?: This matchup will be fun to watch. Crawford has been playing great as of late, and he will be tested against a good defender and a slasher in Latrell Sprewell. We will see how he fairs against him in this key matchup. Timberwolves key to winning: Contain Crawford and don't let anybody else get hot. Grab the boards and play zone defense. Also, they must not let anybody get by them on the fast break. Keep the break away points to a minimum. Bulls key to winning: They must contain Garnett. But if they double him, they will leave Sprewell and Cassell open, and they will hit their shots all night. Also, Hoiberg coming off the bench will also be a threat to them. And if Hudson will play, they must not let him get hot from outside, he will get 15+ points if open. X-Factors Timberwolves Fred Hoiberg - He can get hot off the bench, and can knock down a three if left wide open. Don't be surprised if he gets 12 or more points in the game. Bulls Kendall Gill - I watched him a lot last year when he was with the Wolves, and he can flat out play defense. And he can knock down the three, and drive the lane. When he gets hot, it is hard to defend him. Prediction: Bulls 87 Timberwolves 94
Great preview. As much as I hate to agree with the winner, I do. :-( I do think think it will be closer than everybody thinks. But, the Twolves are just to much. Twolves 89 Bulls 85
The Bulls are Trenton Hassell's former team, so look for him to want revenge. He could actually be the X-factor. Anyways.... Wolves-98 Bulls-89
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting the MDE:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls are Trenton Hassell's former team, so look for him to want revenge. He could actually be the X-factor.</div> Yes, but they are also Hoiberg's former team.
I think trenton Hassell going to guard Crawford. He usually guards the opponents best perimeter player. the t-wolves have to win these next 2 games vs the Hawks & bulls. Because they have Dallas, Lakers, Blazers as their next three after that. Those are three hard wins to come by.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">I think trenton Hassell going to guard Crawford. He usually guards the opponents best perimeter player. the t-wolves have to win these next 2 games vs the Hawks & bulls. Because they have Dallas, Lakers, Blazers as their next three after that. Those are three hard wins to come by.</div> If I were the Timberwolves I would put Spreewell not Hassell on Crawford. I think Spreewell will take Crawford completely out of the game if he is on him. I think this game is going to be a blowout in the Wolves favor. Not having Chandler really hurts this team considering he would be the Bulls ideal player to guard Garnett. Timberwolves 98 Bulls 82
The Wolves have had some serious time between games... hardly any back to back games lately... with 2, 3, even 4 days off inbetween. Anyways... Wolves win, really no contest for KG and Sam.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting purehoops:</div><div class="quote_post">The Wolves have had some serious time between games... hardly any back to back games lately... with 2, 3, even 4 days off inbetween. Anyways... Wolves win, really no contest for KG and Sam.</div> Yep and the rest of the great ones like Spree and Hoiberg and even Olokowandi. I'm afraid it'll be the Wolves, I want the Wolves to win but I feel sorry for the Bulls. Hopefully Crawford will have a good night as compensation. Spree and Crawford was the main matchup I was looking to too. Davis is good....but KG is gonna slaughter him. Hinrich is a great player, it'll be great fun and a challenge for Cassell. This is gonna be one entertaining matchup, great preview.
I say KG and T-Wolves are going to take this one by 9. It's simple The Timberwolves have an awsome five with backup. Kg and sprewell should lead in scoring for the T-wolves which will come in handy with their win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">Yep and the rest of the great ones like Spree and Hoiberg and even Olokowandi.</div> Olowokandi is on the injured list, he isn't going to be able to play for a while.
Timberwolves 98, Bulls 93 Timberwolves were litterally kicking the crap out of them in the first and early parts of the second quarter, but we went and had to make it a nail biter. Sam Cassell was horrible from the line, shooting 4-9 from a usually good free throw shooter. But he made up for it with 21 points and 9 assists. Garnett had 28 points, 15 boards, and 7 assists, you know, the usual for Garnett. Garnett shot 11-14 from the field, a very good day from the field. Sprewell killed the Bulls again, scoring 11 points in the first quarter, and ended up with 27 points. Hassell scored 8 points against his former team, and Hoiberg scored 6 off the bench against his former team, also. Gill also came back to the Target Center for the first time since he left, and he scored 15 points in his homecoming. Hinrich hit a couple threes to keep the score close. Hinrich ended up with 17 points. Box Score
Now you guys got to beat the Hawks on Friday because after that it gets real hard. Dallas, the Lakers, and then Portland. The Month of January is a very difficult schedule for the T-wolves if they are still on the Spurs heal for the division lead after this month. I think the T-wolves will when the Mid-west. I know it will still be 2 1/2 months left after January. But the t-wolves schedule gets lot easier. Jan is the month to follow the t-wolves/Spurs race to win the Mid- West. BTW- Sam will never miss that many free throws in a game again this season.
