<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Where the Timberwolves stand in their playoff series against the Sacramento Kings depends, to a large extent, on whether it's gauged with the head or with the heart. On paper, in pure black-and-white terms, the Kings' two games in Minnesota were a success; they won the series opener, swiping the Wolves' homecourt advantage and setting themselves up to advance merely by winning out at home, beginning with Game 3 tonight. In terms of mood and momentum, however, along with adrenalin and possible doubt, the Wolves would like to think they did more in Game 2 Saturday night at Target Center than salvage one victory and earn a split. With their 16-1 mad dash to the end horn, erasing Sacramento's 10-point lead over the final four minutes, the Wolves hope they have planted some seeds of insecurity in the Kings' minds, while boosting their own confidence for what they face twice in the next 72 hours. As difficult as ARCO Arena is for visting teams, for instance, the Wolves won both of their visits in the regular season. The first came 112-109 in overtime Dec. 5 after Kevin Garnett hit two three-pointers in the final seconds of regulation. The second was a 94-86 victory April 8 that required another mad scramble, with the Wolves outscoring the Kings 33-17 in the fourth quarter. Of the Wolves' 10 biggest comebacks in the regular season, nine -- all from double-digit deficits -- came on the road. Some of the credit goes to Garnett, who gets his rest out of the way, then gets down to business at the end. Some of it goes to Cassell, the affable assassin who makes fourth-quarter shots that some of his peers are afraid even to take. </div> Link
I think if the Kings lose this game tonight it will take alot out of them. To go from almost being up 2-0. And being in complete control to being down in a series. And beaten on your homecourt,where everybody says your unbeatable all in a little over 48 hours. That is alot for any basketball team to handle if it does happen. I think if the Wolves win tonight the pressure completly sifts to the Kings. But 1st the Wolves have to win the game. They do this by.... 1) A huge game from the big3(20plus points from all three members) 2) Defense- Keep this game under the 100pt area, The Wolves need to make sure they limit Bibby or Peja. Both if possible. If I had to use one I would say Peja needs to be limted the most. Also the wolves need to control the defensive boards. 3) Absurb an early start & big kings runs- You know the Kings are going to come out & try to control the momentum right from the start. The Wolves have to be able to absurb the impact of that kings run at the start of the game. And keep coming, the wolves cant get off to those slow starts that they have a tendency too. The Wolves dont want to find themselves down by double-digits early. Also the Kings are going to go on at least 1 or 2 major runs that every homecourt team have throughout the game. The Wolves must take the impact of those runs as well 4)Get to the free throw- The way the you limit run by the home team, is getting to the line & converting free throws. It stops the clock, which stops momentum. It would be nice to see Cassell & Spree get to the line about 7 or 8 times a pieace. And KG get to the line about 10 to 15 times at least. 5)Last but Not least, Make open Shots- With the focus of Sacro's defense expected to be on KG & Sam. Hoiberg, Hassell, even Spree will find themselves with plenty of opportunity to get open looks at the basket. They need to cash in on open opportunities at a high %
Not only do we need to get to the line, we have to start making it, especially in the clutch. The Wolves also must stop perimeter shots, that is how they get most of their points, and whoever lives by the jump shot, dies by the jump shot.
