<div align="center"><font size="7">Western Conference: Semifinals GAME THREE</font> <font size="6">@</font> <font color="Magenta">Sacramento Kings</font> VS <font color="DarkGreen">Minnesota Timberwolves</font> May 10, 10:30 pm ET ARCO Arena TV: TNT, SCORE</div> <div align="center">2004 NBA PLAYOFFS - WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND Series tied 1-1 Game 1 Tuesday May 4 Sac 104-Min 98 Target Center TNT Game 2 Saturday May 8 Sac 89-Min 94 Target Center <font color="Red">Game 3 Monday May 10 ARCO Arena </font> Game 4 Wednesday May 12 ARCO Arena Game 5 Friday May 14 Target Center Game 6* Sunday May 16 ARCO Arena Game 7* Wednesday May 19 Target Center * if necessary</div> <font color="Red">GAME ONE</font> Boxscore Preview GAME 1: May 4, 2004, Target Center, Sacramento 104, Minnesota 98 Mike Bibby scored 33 points and Doug Christie scored seven of his 13 points in the final minute as the Kings defeated the Timberwolves, 104-98, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals at the Target Center. Sam Cassell launched seven three-pointers, finishing with a game-high 40 points, but MVP Kevin Garnett, who was presented with the award before the game, made six of 21 field goal attempts for 16 points to go along with a game with 18 rebounds. Sacramento led, 93-86, with 2:18 left to play before Minnesota cut the lead down to three, 95-92, with 1:08 remaining on Cassell?s back-to-back treys. Christie hit a three of his own followed by four free throw attempts to give the Kings a 102-95 advantage with 23.8 seconds left. Cassell hit the last of his seven three pointers (four three-pointers in the final 1:49) before Bibby sealed the win with two free throws. Brad Miller recorded a double-double with 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. <font color="Red">GAME TWO</font> Boxscore Preview GAME 2: May 8, 2004, Target Center, Sacramento 89, Minnesota 94 Kevin Garnett pumped in 28 points, and Sam Cassell scored eight of his 19 in the final three minutes as the Timberwolves rallied for a 94-89 victory over Sacramento on Saturday night at Target Center. Both teams struggled from the floor to start, with Minnesota's 2-for-11 beginning countered by a 3-for-16 Kings effort. The Wolves ended the first quarter ahead 17-12, and stretched that to 41-27 in the second when Fred Hoiberg scored eight unanswered points to cap a 10-0 surge. Garnett's last-second basket gave Minnesota a 49-39 halftime cushion, but the Kings closed to within two on Mike Bibby's jumper. A three-point play by Chris Webber cut the margin to 64-63 with four minutes left in the third, and Sacramento finally passed the Wolves when Peja Stojakovic's dunk made it 74-73 in the midst of an 11-0 push. Minnesota started the fourth quarter 0-for-9 from the floor before Cassell's jumper broke the ice with 6:29 remaining. A layup by Doug Christie put the Kings in front 88-78 with 4:11 to play, their biggest lead of the evening. However, Latrell Sprewell ignited a 13-0 outburst that included three jumpers by Cassell, and Garnett reclaimed the lead for Minnesota with 1:45 left. Sacramento ended the game missing its last eight shots, including Christie's game-tying 3-point attempt with 11 seconds remaining, and Hoiberg sealed it from the free-throw line. Garnett and Ervin Johnson grabbed 11 rebounds apiece for the Wolves, with Garnett blocking a club playoff-record six shots. Stojakovic led the Kings with 26 points and Chris Webber added 21. <div align="center"> <font size="5"><font color="Magenta">Players & Stats</font></font> Probable Starters <u>Backcourt</u> Mike Bibby 23.0PPG 3.9RPG 5.4APG Doug Christie 13.3PPG 6.7RPG 4.9APG <u>Frontcourt</u> Peja Stojakovic 18.7PPG 7.7RPG 1.4APG Chris Webber 19.0PPG 8.7RPG 4.1APG Vlade Divac 6.3PPG 4.4RPG 1.7APG <u>Reserves</u> Gerald Wallace 3.5PPG 1.0RPG 0.5APG Anthony Peeler 3.1PPG 2.9RPG 1.4APG Darius Songaila 4.0PPG 2.4RPG 0.2APG Rodney Buford 0.0PPG 0.0RPG 0.0APG Brad Miller 10.0PPG 8.9RPG 3.3APG Jabari Smith 1.5PPG 1.0RPG 0.0APG</div> <u>Head Coach:</u> Rick Adelman Kings Head Coach Rick Adelman has guided the Kings to the NBA Playoffs in each of his six years with the franchise. Adelman?s coaching highlights include a pair of NBA Finals appearances with the Trail Blazers in 1990 and 1992. Between the 1989-90 season and the 1992-93 campaign, Adelman led Portland to four consecutive 50-plus win seasons, including a league-best mark of 63-19 in 1990-91. He was runner-up for NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1990-91, the same season he coached the West Team in the NBA All-Star Game. He also has been named NBA Coach of the Month on three occasions. The 53-year-old Adelman played seven seasons in the NBA, primarily with the San Diego Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers, before closing out his career with the then Kansas City-Omaha Kings. Originally selected by the Rockets in the seventh round (#79 overall) of the 1968 NBA Draft, Adelman played two seasons in San Diego before being chosen by Portland in the 1970 NBA Expansion Draft. It was during the 1970-71 season that Adelman began his nearly 30-year professional friendship with Kings Vice President, Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. The duo formed the Trail Blazers? starting backcourt for three seasons (1970-71 ? 1972-73) with Adelman dishing out many of his assists to the sharp-shooting Petrie. Adelman averaged 7.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, and 3.5 apg in 462 career regular season NBA games. <u>Point Guard:</u> Mike Bibby LAST GAME: Recorded 10 points (4-17 FG, 0-2 3pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, a game-high eight assists, and one steal in 40 minutes in Game 2 at Minnesota (5/8). 2004 PLAYOFFS: Averaging a team-leading 23.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.4 apg, 2.4 spg, and 41.0 mpg in starting all seven postseason games ... Averaged 23.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.40 spg, and 40.4 mpg in five games versus Dallas in the first round. Top Single-Game Playoff Performance: Recorded a game-high and playoff career-high 36 points (14-23 FG, 6-8 3pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, a team-high-tying eight assists, and five steals in 44 minutes in Game 5 vs. Dallas (4/29). 2003-04 REGULAR SEASON: Averaged 18.4 ppg (.450 FG%, .392 3pt%, .815 FT%), 3.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.4 spg, and 36.3 mpg in starting all 82 games. <u>Shooting Guard:</u> Doug Christie LAST GAME: Recorded 15 points (5-11 FG, 1-2 3pt, 4-6 FT), two rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 39 minutes in Game 2 at Minnesota (5/8). 2004 PLAYOFFS: Averaging 13.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.9 spg, and 41.1 mpg in starting all seven postseason games ... Averaged 13.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2.00 spg, and 42.2 mpg in five games versus Dallas in the first round. 2003-04 REGULAR SEASON: Averaged 10.1 ppg (.461 FG%, .345 3pt%, .860 FT%), 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.8 spg, and 33.9 mpg in starting all 82 games. <u>Small Foward:</u> Peja Stojakovic LAST GAME: Recorded a team-high 26 points (8-21 FG, 2-5 3pt, 8-8 FT), seven rebounds, and three steals in 45 minutes in Game 2 at Minnesota (5/8). 2004 PLAYOFFS: Averaging 18.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.9 spg, and 42.4 mpg in starting all seven postseason games ... Averaged 18.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.60 spg, and 42.4 mpg in five postseason games versus Dallas in the first round. 2003-04 REGULAR SEASON: Averaged a team-leading 24.2 ppg (.480 FG%, .433 3pt%, .927 FT%), 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg, and 40.3 mpg in starting all 81 games in which he has played in ... NBA suspension in one game (12/25). Awards: Named to the All-NBA Second Team (first of his career) ... Named Western Conference Player of the Week for games Dec. 8-14 ... Named Western Conference Player of the Month of November ... <u>Power Foward:</u> Chris Webber LAST GAME: Recorded 21 points (7-17 FG, 7-9 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 37 minutes in Game 2 at Minnesota (5/8). 2004 PLAYOFFS: Averaging 19.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.3 bpg, and 37.1 mpg in starting all seven postseason games ... Averaged 19.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.20 spg, 1.60 bpg, and 37.0 mpg in five games versus Dallas in the first round. Top Single- Game Playoff Performance: Recorded first career playoff triple-double with 19 points (6-19 FG, 7-12 FT), a game-high 13 rebounds, a game-high 12 assists to go along with one steal and two blocks in 44 minutes on 4/20 vs. Dallas in Game 2. 2003-04 REGULAR SEASON: Averaged 18.7 ppg (.413 FG%, 1-5 3pt, .711 FT%), 8.7 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.3 spg, and 36.1 mpg in 23 games ... DND-CD - resting left knee in one game (3/7 at Orlando) ... Activated on 2/16 ... Missed eight games due to an NBA suspension (2/17-29) ... Missed 50 games while on IL (left knee surgery rehabilitation). <u>Center:</u> Vlade Divac LAST GAME: Recorded four points (2-5 FG), six rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in 26 minutes in Game 2 at Minnesota (5/8). ] 2004 PLAYOFFS: Averaging 6.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, and 17.6 mpg in starting all seven postseason games ... Averaged 5.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.8 apg, and 14.4 mpg in five games versus Dallas in the first round. 2003-04 REGULAR SEASON: Averaged 9.9 ppg (.470 FG%, .154 3pt%, .654 FT%), 5.7 rpg, 5.3 apg, and 28.6 mpg in starting all 81 games in which he played in ... NWT-stomach virus in one gmae (3/28) - only the sixth game Divac has missed since coming to Sacramento. <u>6th Man:</u> Brad Miller LAST GAME: Recorded 11 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3pt, 1-2 FT), a game-high-tying 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks in 33 minutes off the bench in Game 2 at Minnesota (5/8). 2004 PLAYOFFS: Averaging 10.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, and 28.6 mpg in coming off the bench in all seven postseason games ... Averaged 9.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, and 26.8 mpg in five games versus Dallas in the first round. 2003-04 REGULAR SEASON: Averaged 14.1 ppg (.510 FG%, .316 3pt%, .778 FT%), a team-leading 10.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.2 bpg, and 36.4 mpg in 72 games (started 53 games) ... Averaged 14.9 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.3 bpg, and 38.3 mpg in 53 starts (Kings 40-13) ... DND-sprained right foot in seven games (2/17-27) ... DND-acute bursitis, right elbow in three games (3/31-4/4) ... Ejected one game (two technicals, 1/11 vs. Denver) ... Recorded two triple-doubles (11/21, 12/7). Injuries Update Bobby Jackson Abdominal Kings' Statistical Leaders Points Bibby 25.2 Rebounds Webber 9.0 Assists Christie 5.2 <font color="Magenta">Kings' Game Notes</font> KINGS VERSUS TIMBERWOLVES REGULAR SEASON SERIES FACTS All-Time Series: Series tied, 30-30 2003-04 Series: Timberwolves won, 3-1 Current Streak: Lost 3 Current Home Streak: Lost 2 Current Road Streak: Lost 1 Last Home Win: 3/5/03 (96-95, OT) Last Road Win: 11/5/03 (125-121, OT) Last Home Loss: 4/8/04 (94-86) Last Road Loss: 2/19/04 (92-75) STOJAKOVIC?S FREE THROW STREAK: Including the playoffs, Peja Stojakovic has hit his last 64 free throw attempts. Stojakovic, the league?s top free-throw shooter, finished the 2003-04 regular season making his last 41 free throw attempts. In the 2004 NBA Playoffs, Stojakovic has made all 23 of his free throw attempts. During the regular season, Stojakovic made 93 percent of his charity stripe attempts, becoming the first King since Spud Webb (1994-95) to lead the NBA in free throw accuracy (.934). In 2002-03, Mike Bibby set a new franchise record with 51 consecutive free throws. Bibby?s free throw streak came to an end in the final regular season game. BIBBY - LOVIN? PLAYOFF TIME: Mike Bibby is averaging a career playoff-high 23.0 points a game in this season?s playoffs. Bibby experienced his first taste of playoff basketball in the 2002 NBA Playoffs with the Kings, after playing for the Vancouver Grizzlies for the first three seasons of his NBA career. Bibby has scored 20 or more points in 18 of his 33 career playoff games. Twice in this year?s playoffs Bibby has scored 30 or more points (back-to-back games - Game 5 vs. Dallas and Game 1 at Minnesota). Here?s a breakdown of what Bibby has done in the last three yearsin the playoffs: 2002 Year 20.3PPG 5.0APG .444FG% .4243PT% .826FT% 16G 2003 Year 12.7PPG 5.0APG .422FG% .2823PT% .794FT% 12G 2004 Year 23.0PPG 5.4APG .449FG% .4553PT% .865FT% 7G COMPARING PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: Entering the 2004 NBA Playoffs, the Kings five starters had a combined 270 games of playoff experience. In comparison, the Timberwolves? starting five had 216 playoff games before this season?s playoffs. More importantly, entering this year?s postseason, the Kings? starting five have played together in 18 playoff games over the past two seasons. KINGS? STARTING FIVE: In the playoffs, the Kings starting five of Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic, and Chris Webber has a combined 16-9 record in the playoffs. In last year?s playoffs, the Kings were 2-3 without Webber in the lineup after the all-star forward injured his left knee in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against Dallas and missed the final five games of the series. During the Kings? 2003 playoff run, Stojakovic was lost for six games due to a sprained right ankle suffered after Game 2 in the conference semifinals against Dallas. Stojakovic would miss the next three games of the Dallas series and the first three games of the conference finals versus the Lakers. In his absence, the Kings went 5-1. IN THE 2004 NBA PLAYOFFS, THE KINGS ARE: 2-0 ... leading at the half 0-0 ... tied at the half 3-2 ... trailing at the half 3-0 ... leading after three quarters 2-0 ... tied after three quarters 0-2 ... trailing after three quarters 3-0 ... scoring 100+ points 2-2 ... scoring under 100 points 2-1 ... allowing opponent to score 100+ points 3-1 ... holding opponent to under 100 points 1-0 ... outrebounding opponent 0-0 ... tied with opponent in rebounding 4-2 ... outrebounded by opponent 3-0 ... bench outscores opponent 0-0 ... benches are tied 2-2 ... bench outscored by opponent bench 2-1 ... committing 15 or more turnovers 3-1 ... committing under 15 turnovers 4-0 ... outshooting opponent 0-0 ... tied FG% with opponent 1-2 ... outshot by opponent 2-0 ... shooting .500 or better from the field 3-2 ... shooting under .500 from the field 0-0 ... opponent shoots .500 or better from the field 5-2 ... opponent shoots under .500 from the field 4-0 ... outshooting opponents in 3pt FG% 1-2 ... outshot by opponents in 3pt FG% 2-0 ... shooting .500 or better in 3pt FG% 2-1 ... outshooting opponents in FT% 3-1 ... outshot by opponents in FT% 5-1 ... shooting .700 or better in FT% 1-1 ... shooting 30 or more free throws 2-1 ... five players score in double-figures 2-0 ... six players score in double-figures 0-0 ... seven players score in double-figures 1-2 ... two players score 20 or more points 2-0 ... three players score 20 or more points 0-0 ... four players score 20 or more points 0-0 ... two players score 30 or more points 1-0 ... two players record double-doubles 1-0 ... three players record double-doubles 1-0 ... a player records a triple-double 0-0 ... recording 30 or more assists <div align="center"> <font size="5"><font color="DarkGreen">Players & Stats</font></font></div> <div align="center">Probable Starters <u>Backcourt</u> Sam Cassell 23.1PPG 3.6RPG 4.9APG Latrell Sprewell 17.0PPG 3.7RPG 3.3APG <u>Frontcourt</u> Trenton Hassell 9.4PPG 4.6RPG 1.7APG Kevin Garnett 24.7PPG 14.7RPG 6.6APG Ervin Johnson 3.1PPG 6.3RPG 1.0APG <u>Reserves</u> Fred Hoiberg 6.0PPG 2.0RPG 1.3APG Mark Madsen 2.5PPG 2.5RPG 0.0APG Darrik Martin 2.0PPG 0.4RPG 1.1APG Oliver Miller 0.3PPG 0.0RPG 0.0APG Michael Olowokandi 2.3PPG 3.1RPG 0.3APG Gary Trent 0.8PPG 0.8RPG 0.2APG</div> <u>Head Coach:</u> Phil "Flip" Saunders Finishing his eighth full year on the Wolves bench, having now led Minnesota to eight straight playoff berths and seven consecutive .500+ records, including last season's club-record 51-31 mark? Named the Western Conference Coach of the Month for February 2003 -- the third time he's earned those honors (January 2001, January 2000) -- guiding Minnesota to a league-best 12-1 mark... Directed the Wolves to a 50-32 mark in 2001-02; his other yearly records include 47-35 in 2001-02, 50-32 in 1999-2000, 25-25 in 1998-99, 45-37 in 1997-98, and 40-42 in 1996-97? Coached his 500th Wolves game on Mar. 5, 2002 at Seattle? Coached USA Basketball's gold-medal-winning entry in the 2001 Goodwill Games, held in Brisbane, Australia? Was named head coach on Dec. 18, 1995, taking over from Bill Blair, and finished his first year at the helm (1995- 96) with a 20-42 mark? The Wolves are 386-300 (.563) under his tutelage, after compiling a 132-380 (.258) record prior to his arrival? Joined the Timberwolves organization on May 11, 1995 as general manager? Coached seven seasons in the Continental Basketball Association, where he is the fifth all-time winningest coach with 253 victories? Won two CBA titles (1990 and 1992) with the La Crosse Catbirds? Coached the Rapid City (SD) Thrillers in 1988-89, the La Crosse (WI) Catbirds from 1989-94 and the Sioux Falls (SD) Skyforce in 1994-95? Was an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota (1981-86) and the University of Tulsa (1986-88)? Was head coach at Golden Valley (MN) Lutheran College from 1977-81 where he compiled a 92-13 record, including a perfect 56-0 mark at home? Played four years at the University of Minnesota? In his senior season, he teamed with freshman Kevin McHale to lead the Golden Gophers to an all-time school-best 24-3 record? Grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio, and was an All-America basketball player at Cuyahoga Heights High School? As a senior in 1973, he was named Ohio's Class A High School Basketball Player of the Year, posting a state-high average of 32.0 ppg. <u>Point Guard:</u> Sam Cassell Game 2: 19 pts (8-15 FG, 2- 6 FT), 5 reb, 7 ast Postseason: Scored 10 of his points Saturday in the 4th quarter, the fourth time this playoff season that he's tallied 10+ in the final 12 minutes; he's shooting 56.3% (18-for-32) in the 4th quarters thus far? Matched his own playoff club scoring record with his career-high-tying 40-point outing in Game 1; he led off with a 40-point night vs. Denver, as well? Tallied 30 points in the 2nd half on Tuesday, tying the highest-scoring half in club history (regular season or playoffs), a mark shared by Tony Campbell and Chauncey Billups? All of his three-pointers came after intermission, one shy of the NBA Playoff record for a half (Vince Carter vs. Philadelphia, 2001); the seven treys tie Latrell Sprewell's playoff single-game franchise record? Ranks 5th in playoff scoring (23.1 ppg), 3rd in three-point accuracy (54.5%) and 10th in FG accuracy (51.3%). <u>Shooting Guard:</u> Latrell Sprewell Game 2: 15 pts (6-13 FG, 2- 4 FT), 3 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk Postseason: Hitting just 16.0% (4-for-25) in two Game 1s, compared to 48.8% (39-for-80) in the other five contests? His 31-point effort in Game 2 vs. Denver is the sixth 30-point night of his playoff career, the first five coming with New York? His seven treys in Game 2 against the Nuggets set a Wolves playoff record; Anthony Peeler hit six at Seattle on May 2, 1998? Needs 15 points to reach 1000 for his playoff career. <u>Small Forward:</u> Trenton Hassell Game 2: 12 pts (5-12 FG, 2- 2 FT), 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk Postseason: His 17-point outing in Game 1 is his high in a Wolves uniform; he's averaging 14.5 ppg in two games vs. the Kings, after tallying 7.4 ppg in the first round against Denver? Swiped five steals in Game 4 at Denver, tying a franchise playoff single-game record originally set by Anthony Peeler (Apr. 28, 2001 vs. San Antonio)? Currently ranks 5th in playoff FG accuracy at 54.5% (30-for-55). <u>Power Foward:</u> Kevin Garnett Game 2: 28 pts (8-16 FG, 12-14 FT), 11 reb, 4 ast, 6 blk Postseason: His six blocked shots Saturday are a franchise playoff record, breaking his own mark of five (at San Antonio, May 9, 1999); it's also the highest single-game total to date in the 2004 Playoffs? Saw his string of 14 straight postseason double/doubles ended in Game 5 vs. Denver? The Game 2 effort against the Nuggets (20 pts/22 reb/10 ast) was the third playoff triple-double of his career; his 22 rebounds are a playoff career high, while his 20 defensive rebounds tie an NBA Playoff single-game mark shared by Dave Cowens, Bill Walton and Tim Duncan? The Game 1 outing vs. Denver was his second career 30-point/20- rebound playoff night; he's one of just four active players with 30/20s to their postseason credit (S. O'Neal 8, Duncan 4, Malone 3)? Leads all playoff participants in rebounding (14.7 rpg) and ranks 3rd in scoring (24.7 ppg), 4th in blocks (2.43 bpg) and 8th in assists (6.6 apg). <u>Center:</u> Ervin Johnson Game 2: 0 pts (0- 3 FG, 0- 0 FT), 11 reb Postseason: His three assists in Game 1 match a playoff career high, while his 11 rebounds Saturday are a season best (regular season or playoffs)? Played a season-high 37 minutes in Game 4 at Denver, just the third time this year he's logged 30+ minutes. <u>6th Man:</u> Michael Olowokandi Game 2: 2 pts (1-4 FG, 0-0 FT), 5 reb, 1 blk Postseason: Logged 22.0 mpg in the opening two contests vs. Denver, but has dipped to 13.0 mpg in five games since? Has just two points while committing seven TOs in the last four games (54 minutes). He still hasn't help the team by contributing. He will need to improve alot in the Game 3. Injuries Update Ndudi Ebi Knee Troy Hudson Ankle Surgery Wally Szczerbiak Back Timberwolves' Statistical Leaders Points Garnett 24.2 Rebounds Garnett 15.3 Assists Garnett 7.0 <font color="DarkGreen">Timberwolves' Game Notes</font> POSTSEASON CHART: Saturday's win was Minnesota's third straight in a Game 2, all of which have come at Target Center. The Wolves are now 5-2 this postseason -- 4-1 at home -- and need two more victories to match their seven-year total entering 2004 (7-22). INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Minnesota outscored Sacramento 30-26 in the paint on Saturday, the first time in seven postseason outings this year that the Wolves have held the edge in that category. Minnesota also had just 11 turnovers in Game 2, after averaging 19.0 TOs in the previous three games (including a club-playoffrecord 21 TOs Apr. 30 vs. Denver). WOLF TRACKS: Minnesota evened up its Western Conference Semifinal series with Sacramento by rallying from 10 points back in the final four minutes, closing the game on a 16-1 run? It's the 2nd-biggest comeback in Wolves playoff history; they made up an 11-point, 2nd-quarter deficit in beating Seattle 98-90 on Apr. 28, 1997 at Target Center? Minnesota erased double-figure deficits 10 times during the 2003-04 regular season -- including a pair of 11-point comebacks against the Kings at ARCO Arena (Dec. 5 and Apr. 8)? Minnesota held the Kings to 36.8% shooting (32-for-87), the Wolves' 3rd-best defensive percentage ever in the playoffs and their eighth sub-40% postseason effort overall? They set a franchise playoff record by holding Denver to 35.9% in Game 4 of their first-round series (Apr. 27 at the Pepsi Center)? Sacramento has now come up short of 40% four times in seven playoff outings this year, having endured a run of three such nights against Dallas in the first round (37.0% in Game 2, 37.3% in Game 3, 39.6% in Game 4)? THREES ARE WILD: Minnesota continued its prolific three-point shooting, finishing 6-for-13 in the Game 2 victory after going 10-for-25 in the series opener? Sam Cassell went 7-for-11 from beyond the arc in Game 1, equaling Latrell Sprewell's club playoff record (set in Game 2 vs. Denver)? All seven of Cassell's treys came after halftime, tying the 2nd-highest one-half total in NBA Playoff history? The Wolves' 25 three-point tries Tuesday are a 2004 postseason high in the league; they're averaging 14.7 shots per game from beyond the arc, after attempting 10.9 treys per night in the regular season? Minnesota has shot 40%+ from threepoint range in each of its seven postseason contests to date, and continues to lead the NBA in playoff threepoint accuracy at 46.6% (48-for-103)? Should it hold up, the percentage would be the 2nd-best mark in NBA Playoff history; Dallas shot 51.7% (30-for-58) during a 10-game postseason run in 1986? IN THE 2004 NBA PLAYOFFS, THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE: 2-0 when scoring 100+ points 3-2 when scoring less than 100 4-0 when shooting 45%+ 1-2 when shooting less than 45% 5-1 when outshooting their foe 4-1 when outrebounding their foe or even 4-1 when attempting more FTs or even 3-0 when committing <16 TOs 5-1 when leading or tied after 3 quarters 3-1 in games decided by 10+ 0-2 when allowing 100+ points 5-0 when allowing less than 100 1-1 when allowing 45%+ 4-1 when allowing less than 45% 0-1 when being outshot 1-1 when being outrebounded 1-1 when attempting fewer FTs 2-2 when committing 16+ TOs 0-1 when trailing after 3 quarters 2-0 in games decided by <6 points SEASON SERIES: <font color="DarkGreen">MINNESOTA 3,</font> <font color="Magenta">SACRAMENTO 1</font> 2003-04 REGULAR SEASON RECAPS Timberwolves won, 3-1 The Wolves were the only team to beat Sacramento twice at ARCO Arena this year. The Dec. 5 win ended Minnesota's six-game road slide (dating to Apr. 7, 2000) and was also the fourth straight OT game involving the Wolves and Kings -- the first time that's happened in NBA history. The all-time series is knotted at 30-30. November 5, 2003 at Minnesota - Sac 125- Min121 OT Boxscore Peja Stojakovic scored 26 of his game-high 34 points after the half in helping the Kings to a 125-121 overtime win over the Timberwolves at the Target Center. The Kings had won just once in the previous 11 contests in Minnesota. Mike Bibby?s lay-up with 11.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter tied the score at 110 and the Timberwolves were unable to get off a shot before time expired, sending the game into overtime. Stojakovic?s defensive rebound with 9.4 seconds left in overtime and his two free throws with 8.9 seconds remaining preserved the win. Five Kings scored in double-figures: Stojakovic (34), Bibby (22), Vlade Divac (19), Bobby Jackson (19), and Brad Miller (17). Divac also grabbed eight rebounds while handing out a team-high 10 assists. Minnesota was led by Kevin Garnett?s 28 points and 11 rebounds. Sam Cassell added 26 points to go along with a game-high 14 assists. December 5, 2003 vs. Minnesota - Sac 109- Min 112 OT Boxscore Latrell Sprewell scored 37 points and Kevin Garnett added 33 points and a careerhigh 25 rebounds to help the Timberwolves hand Sacramento its first loss at home this season with a 112-109 overtime victory before a national television audience and a soldout ARCO Arena. The loss ruined a night in which the Kings retired Mitch Richmond?s jersey and Brad Miller scored a career-high 35 points. Four Kings? streaks came to an end: 10-game home win streak this season, a 17-game home win streak dating from last season, an eight-game overall win streak, and a sixgame win streak over the Timberwolves at ARCO Arena. The Kings led by six, 102- 96, with 29.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but Garnett nailed a trey to cut the lead in half with 26.8 seconds left in regulation. Miller was fouled and missed both free throw attempts with 25.7 seconds left. Garnett then hit another three-pointer to tie the score at 102. Bibby missed a shot at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime. In the overtime period, with the score tied at 106, Sprewell hit a jumper to give Minnesota the lead for good. Peja Stojakovic matched his season-high in rebounds with a team-high 11 boards. Garnett grabbed a career-high 25 rebounds, 23 on the defensive end, setting a new ARCO Arena record for most defensive rebounds in a game. This was the fourth consecutive overtime contest between the Kings and the Timberwolves, marking the first time in NBA history two teams had played four straight overtime games against each other. February 19, 2004 at Minnesota - Sac 75- Min 92 Boxscore In a matchup of the Western Conference?s two best teams, Kevin Garnett tallied 22 points and 24 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves over the Kings, 92-75, at the Target Center. The Wolves snapped the Kings? five-game road win streak and lead the NBA?s best offense to a season-low 75 points. Minnesota jumped out to a 17-6 lead to start the game and the Kings could not recover, shooting just 34 percent from the field. The Kings trailed by three, 63-60, to start the fourth quarter, but the Wolves outscored them, 29-15, in the final quarter. The Kings were led by Peja Stojakovic?s 15 points and Vlade Divac?s eight rebounds. April 8, 2004 vs. Minnesota - Sac 86- Min 94 Boxscore Sam Cassell scored a game-high 29 points and Kevin Garnett added 24 points and 17 rebounds in leading the Midwest-leading Minnesota Timberwolves to a 94-86 victory over the Kings at ARCO Arena. The Kings held a eight-point lead (69-61) entering the fourth quarter, but struggled in the final 12 minutes, shooting just .238 (5-of-21) from the field. Sacramento trailed, 81-79, with 2:20 remaining, before Cassell hit a jumper and Ervin Johnson put back a miss for a six-point lead, 85-79, with 1:17 left to play. Sacramento was led by Chris Webber?s 21 points and 11 rebounds. Mike Bibby added 19. Bobby Jackson returned to the Kings lineup after missing the last 23 games with an abdominal strain. Jackson finished with 10 points and two rebounds in 13 minutes of action off the bench. <div align="center"><u>Key Matchup</u> <font color="Magenta">Mike Bibby</font> / <font color="DarkGreen">Sam Cassell</font> This isn't really a matchup because they won't be guarding each other. Sprewell will be guarding Bibby and Doug will be guarding Cassell. Both teams did a great job defending their opponent's point guard in game 2. Bibby was held to 10 points on 4-17 shooting. Sam was another story. He was well defended but he came up big in crunch time and made huge baskets to rally back from a deficit. Sam played better and his team won. This will be the same thing, which player plays better will be on the winning team.</div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Key Factors</font></div> <font color="Magenta">Sacramento</font> Defend the perimeter. The Wolves are still hot from the 3 point line.They finished 6-for-13 in the Game 2 victory after going 10-for-25 in the series opener? They lead the NBA in playoff threepoint accuracy at 46.6% (48-for-10). Penetration and getting to the line. It isn't that they don't do that but they can't just take perimeter shots in the last minutes in a game. The Kings missed their last eight shots as they blew a 10-point lead in the final four minutes, wasting a terrific comeback. Making free-throws.Doug Christie, a 86 percent freethrow shooter, missed a pair of foul shots in final minute of play that could have help them win the game. Rebounding. They were outrebounded 45-40. That isn't so bad but they let Hoiberg get a huge offensive rebound in the final seconds of the game and he sealed the fate of the kings by making 2 free-throws. <font size="5"><font color="DarkGreen">Minnesota</font></font> Making free-throws. In the final minute of the game, Sam Cassell , usually a excellent free-throw shooter, made only 1-2 and then Sprewell missed 2 other free-throws. That will hurt them when they don't make their three-throws. Olowokandi. He will need to play alot better more than ever because they will be playing at the ARCO Arena, one of the hardest places to win in the league. Defense. They are a very great defensive team and if they hold the Kings to less than 100 points, they will have a higher chance of winning. They are 5-0 when allowing less than 100. It will be a hard task for the Wolves if they let the Kings get 100+ points. The BIG 3. They will need to all play well to win this game. Spree, KG and Sam will need to shoot well and score because they score alot of the teams points. <font color="Red">My Prediction</font> If the Wolves can steal a game at the Arco Arena, that will help their cause of winning alot. This should be a really close game. I predict the Wolves win by 3.
This will be a close one, but the Kings will win this game, but I would love for the Wolves to pull this one out. But right now the Kings are undefeated at home in the playoffs, and I don't see that changing this game. But next game, I see the Wolves winning in Arco.
The Wolves still need to find away to get some points in the paint(and Kandiman postups are not the answer). I think they still have to keep trying to go thru KG in the post even tho he wasnt scoring down low he was still getting to the line. The Gary Trent sighting was interesting to see. He didnt produce much stat wise but he competed. And thats all you can really ask of him with the limited minutes he recieved this season. IU think if Kandiman doesnt produce anything when flip goes to him early in game 4, then Flip shouldnt put him back in the game at all in the 2nd half. He is hurting the team in my opinion. His shots in the post look horrible, he commits bad fouls, & he doesnt know how to pass the ball out of the post. I still wish Kandiman would step up & produce. But it looks like that boat is slowly starting to sink. And if Flip keeps playing around putting him in the game, the wolves hopes of advacing might sink with him. Mark Madsen can & will produce more than him. But anyway.... I think if the Wolves are going to win game 3. All three members of the big 3 must come up with 20plus point games. Chris Webber is playing well, Peja got his stroke back, Bibby will probably contribute more in game 3. So if you combine that with the Arco crowd. The big three coming up with big games is the only thing that can counter such odds.
What the T-Wolves did do very well was containing Bibby,Spree did an excellent job on him,so now the Kings will need someone else to step up scoring wise.Chris Webber looks pretty good even though they say his knee still bothers him , he was still getting by people who were guarding him.The Wolves will have to pull some tough(probaly tough)games at Arco to win thise series.
I'm just curious about something. I started a thread for game 3 and it got deleted. Did it get replaced by this thread? I'm new here and I just wanted to know.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting twolvesfan10:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm just curious about something. I started a thread for game 3 and it got deleted. Did it get replaced by this thread? I'm new here and I just wanted to know.</div> I think twolvefan11 deleted or another mod deleted it because there will be a preview for the game. So there is no need to have another thread for the same game.
Thanks so much because I wasn't sure. By the way, how do you get a pic for your member name like you have the pic of KG? Also, why does my account not allow me to private message someone? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wallyszczerbiak
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting twolvesfan10:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks so much because I wasn't sure. By the way, how do you get a pic for your member name like you have the pic of KG? Also, why does my account not allow me to private message someone? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wallyszczerbiak</div> For the avatar, you need to click on the User CP, then on edit avatar. There you can upload the pic from your computer or by a link. For the PM question, you need to have 5 posts to use the PM. BTW, please do not spam on the site. The Admins doesn't like that and if you are going to use the PM for Spamming, please don't because Spamming via Mass PM is also not allowed and is subject to permanent expulsion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting twolvesfan10:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm just curious about something. I started a thread for game 3 and it got deleted. Did it get replaced by this thread? I'm new here and I just wanted to know.</div> the same thing happened to me, i posted a thread talkin about gm 2 (titled 'Back up in this!') and it was deleted. ah well. anyway, this game 3 could go either way....i'd like to see Trent more, becuz Kandi is useless. KG, and Spree especially must continue going to the hoop and getting to the foul line. good things happen when KG goes inside and doesn't rely too much on the outside shot. foul trouble is important, not only for the big 3 for for EJ as well...we need him to get good minutes and contribute with his hustle plays. our defense has to be consistent for 48 mins. i feel confident we could win this game...or at least 1 in Arco. if i had to choose, it would be this one, although it'll be really tough seeing the gm 2 loss is still stinging for Sac. GO WOLVES!
I'm SO fired up for tonight! It's actaully tomorrow morning for me, but still. This is a hard game to predict, but I'll go ahead and say Wolves by a handfull. Now I'm off to sleep so I can be on my toes at 4:45 AM tomorrow.
It's looking real good for the Timberwolves at the moment. Up 10 after 3 quarters. Trenton Hassell was superb in the third. Wolves extended the lead quite considerably when having both KG and Sam on the bench.
Man Sprewell has to be one of the worst clutch performers I've ever seen. So far every game I've watched for Minnesota that has come down to the end of the game, he screws up every time by turning it over or missing both freethrows. He was playing well up until the last few minutes of the game, then he started messing up royal again..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">Man Sprewell has to be one of the worst clutch performers I've ever seen. So far every game I've watched for Minnesota that has come down to the end of the game, he screws up every time by turning it over or missing both freethrows. He was playing well up until the last few minutes of the game, then he started messing up royal again..</div> This is sad for the NBA imo. The Refs made that run not the kings.
It really didn't help that Sprewell thre the ball away with such a dumb with little time on the clock though..
stupid refs. how the hell can an all star point guard get 4 fouls in 3 minutes. the refs are helping the kings win this or trying to at least. the timberwolves are stupid as well. how the hell can you turn the ball over 2 times and miss shots and allow the kings to get back into the game after leading by 8 with just a minute to go.
