Boston Celtics (27-36) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (44-18) Sunday, March 7, 7:30 pm ET Target Center, Minneapolis, MN Local TV: FSNE Nat TV: SCORE,ESPN Boston: Home 14-18 Road 13-18 Minnesota: Home 24-8 Road 20-10 Streak Boston: Won 4 Minnesota: Lost 1 Last 10 games Boston: 4-6 Minnesota: 7-3 Previous games Boston 03/01/04 Orlando W 117-96 03/05/04 Washington W 94-90 Minnesota 03/05/04 Dallas W 121-97 03/07/04 Houston L 112-109 Season Series Minnesota Leads 1-0 15/12/03 @ Boston, Min 116 Bos 95 Head Coaches John Carroll / Flip Saunders Probable Starters <u>Backcourt</u> PG: Chucky Atkins / Sam Cassell SG: Paul Pierce / Latrell Sprewell <u>Frontcourt</u> SF: Jiri Welsch / Trenton Hassell PF: Brandon Hunter / Kevin Garnett C: Mark Blount / Michael Olowokandi 6th Man Ricky Davis / Troy Hudson Injuries Boston Raef LaFrentz Knee (Out) Minnesota Fred Hoiberg Wrist (Questionable) Ndudi Ebi Knee (Out) Statistical Leaders Boston Points P. Pierce 22.9 Rebounds P. Pierce 6.4 Assists P. Pierce 5.1 Steals P. Pierce 1.61 Blocks M. Blount 1.24 Minnesota Points K. Garnett 24.7 Rebounds K. Garnett 14.0 Assists S. Cassell 7.6 Steals K. Garnett 1.38 Blocks K. Garnett 2.21 Players to Watch Keys to Game <u>Boston</u> Cover the perimeter.The Wolves have a lot of great perimeter shooter's (Sam,Wally,Spree and more) Ricky needs get going early Try to contain KG in the post Get rebounds Limit second chance points <u>Minnnesota</u> Contain Pierce Let KG and Olowokandi get into positon in the post. Don't let Ricky get hot. Ball mouvement <font color="DarkGreen"><font size="2">My Prediction</font></font> Min 101 Bos 94
Minnesota is a little hurt by the game in Houston, but I see them bouncing back from that with a big win in Boston. Boston is a hurting team right now, and after what Ainge said about him not wanting them to make the playoffs so they get in the lottery, Boston is going to be on the down side the whole game. I say Minnesota by at least 10.
The T-Wolves look like they had a struggle trying to keep up with the Rockets, but I'm hoping that was just an off night. The Wolves need to keep Paul Pierce heavly gaurded, if they can do that I think they should win this game. Wolves by 9.
There is no reason this game shouldnt have a 12 pt margin in victory for the Wolves... we hold an advantage at all but 1 position including the bench by far.
Chucky Atkins usaully defends Sam well so it should be interesting matchup. I think Flip should use the 2 point guard lineup when Paul Pierce isnt on the floor. It was was extremely effective against the rockets, and I would like to see more of it. Wolves do have alot of advantages like Purehoops said but that doesnt mean an automatic victory. With that being said I think the wolves will take this one by 8-15pts.
I think that the T-Wolves will do well if they play heavy guard on Paul Pierce. Also keep an eye on Chucky Atkins and Ricky Davis. These two player can both shoot threes from downtown. As long as they are playing good defence and good offence, they will win the game no problem. Nice preview!
Yea the Wolves should handle the Celtics pretty easily, I say the Wolves by 12. KG swill kill Brandon Hunter while they're in their together.
Okay this is pathetic... Wolves are down 67-64 with 5:40 to go... And it is really pissed me off that Garnett isnt demanding the ball down low... and instead Wally is taking shots and Trenton Hassell... win or loss this is a pathetic performence by a far inferior team.
this game has been pathetic, all defense...which I love, but no one could hit a shot in the first hald, anyone see Madsens shot sitting down? that was great...and also Bill Walton is the biggest idiot ever.
Its as simple as this I hate to blame coach for when players dont produce & teams lose but I have been holding my tongue for a minute these last couple of weeks, Flip doesnt know how to coach a deep team. His player rotation isnt allowing anyone to get any type of Flow or feel for the game what so ever.
ugly, thats the only adequate word. They didn't shoot, pass, cut, or play D. They didn't get any fast breaks, too many turnover, too many bad shots. good shots didnt drop. ugly Madsen Hassell and Olowakandi were the only guys that brought their game, KG got his points but he always does. You cant blame him for the loss but he could have done better. Sprewell and Hudson really underachieved. Flip Squanders strikes again.
It was pathetic all around from KG to the coach to Sprewell and the bench. What is Garnett doing? As his biggest supporter... why the hell didnt he demand the ball each and every time down the floor. Put your hand up in the damn air and tell wally to give you the damn ball or sit down. Sprewell needs to learn when he cant make a shot... to do other things like pentrate and pass out... this guy is taking to many shots when he is cold. I know he would like to get in the flow, but these jumpers are terrible and at the wrong point. Isnt our bench supposed to be deep... how come we got out scored by double on the bench.
Nobody gets a game ball in a lose.But Trenton Hassell defense was superb.And needs some respect. To bad the t-wolves wasted a defensive performance by Hassell. Most eople probably wont even remember his performance on D because the wolves took a L. But to limit one of the best off the dribble players in the league to fadaway jumpers all night very impressive.
What a shocker! The Wolves need to get their act together quickly if they don't want to drop in the standings, and they will. But what a weird week!!
All I can say is Olowokandi shouldn't get 14 shots in a game. Hassell played very very well, but the rest of the T-Wolves just were'nt their today. KG had a nice line 20 points, 14 boards, 6 assits, 2 blocks and 2 steals and also no turnovers, but everyone from Cassell and Spreewell, to Hudson and Sczerbiak were missing like crazy. Nice clutch shot (3) by Hudson, but it wasn't enough to do ti.
