<div align="center"><font size="7">Western Conference: Semifinals GAME SIX</font> http://www.nba.com/media/act_latrell_sprewell.jpg"> Friday <u>Small Forward:</u> Trenton Hassell http://www.nba.com/media/act_michael_olowokandi.jpg"> Friday Injuries Update Ndudi Ebi Knee Troy Hudson Ankle Surgery <font color="DarkGreen">Timberwolves' Game Notes</font> POSTSEASON CHART: Friday's win over Sacramento improves Minnesota's record to 7-3 this postseason, matching its seven-year total entering 2004 (7-22). INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Minnesota committed a club playoff-record 24 turnovers in Wednesday's loss at ARCO Arena, surpassing their previous mark of 21 TOs set in the Game 5 clincher vs. Denver (Apr. 30). The Wolves have totaled just 34 TOs in their three victories over the Kings, but have committed 42 miscues in the two losses. FOURTH & LONG: The Wolves misfired on nine of their first 10 shots in the 4th quarter of Wednesday's loss, ending 7-for-21. Minnesota's 4th-quarter shooting percentage has been below 40% in all five games vs. Sacramento -- a combined 32.0% (33-for-103) -- after hitting a cumulative 52.4% (43-for-82) in the last 12 minutes against Denver. WOLF TRACKS: Minnesota moved to within one victory of its first trip to the Western Conference Finals with Friday's 12-point triumph, the first game of this series to be decided by more than six points? The Wolves improve to 5-1 at Target Center in this year's playoffs (and 7-3 overall)? Meanwhile, Sacramento needs two straight wins to advance to its second Western Conference Finals in the last three years? The Kings had pulled even at 2-2 with Wednesday's 87-81 verdict, beating Minnesota for the first time in four tries at ARCO Arena this year? Sacramento finished the regular season with the NBA's 2nd-best home record at 34-7 and has gone 4-1 in the playoffs; three of their eight home losses overall have been to Minnesota? The Wolves tied Indiana for the league's best road record in 2003-04, going 27-14? Monday's game (won 114-113 by Minnesota) was the third time this year -- and the fifth in their last nine meetings -- that the Wolves and Kings have gone OT? Sacramento forced OT by outscoring Minnesota 17-4 in the final two minutes of regulation, going 4-for-4 from three-point range? Two nights earlier in Game 2 at Target Center, the Wolves had made up a 10-point deficit with four minutes left by outscoring Sacramento 16-1 to finish the game, winning 94-89; it's the 2nd-biggest comeback in franchise playoff history? GETTING DEFENSIVE: The Kings scored 74 points on Friday, their lowest postseason total since moving to California in 1985-86 -- and the lowest in franchise playoff history since the Rochester Royals suffered an 82-72 defeat to the Minneapolis Lakers on Mar. 28, 1954 at the Minneapolis Auditorium? In Sacramento's final regular-season visit to Target Center (Feb. 19), they were limited to a season-low 75 points? The total also represents the 2nd-fewest points ever allowed by Minnesota in a playoff game; the Wolves notched an 80-71 victory at San Antonio on May 11, 1999? The Kings' 33.3% performance from the field Friday establishes a new Minnesota playoff single-game defensive mark; they'd held Denver to 35.9% on Apr. 27? The Wolves have kept Sacramento under 45% in every game this series (including 36.8% in Game 2) and are giving up a combined 40.0% overall? The Kings led the NBA in FG accuracy during the regular season at 46.2%? FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The Wolves' 15-point 1st quarter on Wednesday marks their lowest-scoring opening period in franchise playoff history, while the 31-point 1st half is their 2nd-lowest postseason total ever (28 vs. San Antonio, May 13, 1999, 1st half)? During the 2004 Playoffs, Minnesota is averaging 18.8 points in the 1st quarters of four road games, compared to 24.8 points in six Target Center starts? The Wolves grabbed a 22-18 lead after one quarter on Monday, two nights after holding the Kings to 12 points in the 1st period of Game 2? In Minnesota's three playoff losses, they're permitting an average of 28.3 points (56.1% shooting) in the opening period -- including Sacramento's 34-point explosion in Game 1; the Wolves are allowing 19.4 points (39.9%) in the 1st quarters of their seven wins? They're 7-0 when tied or ahead after one quarter? TRIPLE DIGITS: Minnesota's 114-point effort Monday equals the highest-scoring road game in club playoff history, matching its Game 3 victory over the Lakers last season? It's also the Wolves' top output this year since posting a 121-97 triumph over Dallas on Mar. 3 at Target Center? Meanwhile, Sacramento's 113-point outing is the most allowed by Minnesota since the Mavericks took a 119-112 victory on Jan. 3 in Dallas? Despite Wednesday's 81-point outing at ARCO Arena (their low playoff total since an 86-69 setback at San Antonio on Apr. 23, 2001), the Wolves rank 4th among playoff teams in scoring offense (94.6 ppg)? They're also 4th in FG accuracy (44.7%) and 1st in three-point accuracy (41.7%); they've slipped to 31.3% from long distance over the past three games, after shooting 40%+ in seven straight contests to open the playoffs? NO FREE LUNCH: Minnesota was outscored 30-10 from the free-throw line in Game 1; the Wolves' 12 FTAs established a new club playoff single-game low (13 at Houston, Aug. 26, 1997)? Minnesota enjoyed a 95-59 scoring advantage from the line in its first-round matchup with Denver, including a 27-6 cushion in the seriesclinching Game 5 at Target Center? During the 2004 Playoffs, the Wolves have gone 6-0 when scoring 20+ points from the line (1-3 when tallying fewer than 20)? Meanwhile, Minnesota notched a 46-33 rebounding margin at Sacramento on Wednesday, and compiled a 48-41 edge on Friday at Target Center? The Wolves have outboarded Sacramento in seven of nine games this year (including the regular season); they've racked up a +4.8 rpg advantage (46.0-41.2) in this playoff round, and a +6.7 rpg spread for the nine games overall? BY THE NUMBERS: The Wolves are? 3-0 when scoring 100+ points 4-3 when scoring less than 100 5-0 when shooting 45%+ 2-3 when shooting less than 45% 7-1 when outshooting their foe 5-2 when outrebounding their foe or even 5-1 when attempting more FTs or even 5-0 when committing <16 TOs 7-1 when leading or tied after 3 quarters 4-1 in games decided by 10+ points 1-2 when allowing 100+ points 6-1 when allowing less than 100 1-1 when allowing 45%+ 6-2 when allowing less than 45% 0-2 when being outshot 2-1 when being outrebounded 2-2 when attempting fewer FTs 2-3 when committing 16+ TOs 0-2 when trailing after 3 quarters 3-0 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></div> <font color="Red">My prediction</font> This could be the final game for the Kings. This will be a difficult task for the Wolves to win this game at the ARCO Arena. The Kings will be giving everything they got to keep this series alive. This should be a great game and a close one. The Kings by 4.
This will be a close one, the Kings are on the brink of extinction, and the Wolves have a lot of momentum heading into this one. I expect this one to be close all the way through, but I see the Wolves coming out of this one by 3 or more.
Mad Dog is now officially the new backup center for the team and Olowokandi won't play anymore. That might help because we will lose Olowokandi's fouls and turnovers. In this game, I'd like to see how Wally will play because in game 5, he only played in the final seconds of the game. I really hope they can win this game and become one step closer to winning a championship. But I think the Kings will win this one.
Awesome preview. This should be a physical game, the Kings are at home and fighting to stay alive. Sprewell will need to play big again if the Wolves are to win. I think KG will play another great game, like an MVP should. The Madsen move is a good from a Wolves standpoint, he's far more productive the Kandiman right now. But I'll take the Kings by 4, in a low scoring game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tmac15:</div><div class="quote_post">Awesome preview. This should be a physical game, the Kings are at home and fighting to stay alive. Sprewell will need to play big again if the Wolves are to win. I think KG will play another great game, like an MVP should. The Madsen move is a good from a Wolves standpoint, he's far more productive the Kandiman right now. But I'll take the Kings by 4, in a low scoring game.</div> I totally agree that this will be both a physical game & that it won't be a high-scoring game. I don't know that the Kings will win tomorrow, simply because Spree's on a mission to push the ball down their throats. He said that he was certain that they were tired late in Game 4 but that they couldn't capitalize on it. Friday night, Spree called a team meeting & told everyone that if they saw him on the wing that they should get it to him & he'd push the issue. By the end of the game, the Kings' tongues were dragging on the floor. I think that Sac might be wearing dow & that, if the T'Wolves play smart while being aggressive, they T'Wolves will win tomorrow. IMO, that's their best shot at winning tomorrow. Another thing is that I hope Flip uses alot of the Hoibs, Sammy C, Madsen, KG & Spree lineup tomorrow. Madsen will gobble up offensive rebounds & play stellar defense, KG will do everything & Sammy C, Spree & Hoibs will stretch the defense alot. I hope they have that lineup out there at least 20 minutes tomorrow.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Just-Magic:</div><div class="quote_post">Mad Dog is now officially the new backup center for the team and Olowokandi won't play anymore. That might help because we will lose Olowokandi's fouls and turnovers. In this game, I'd like to see how Wally will play because in game 5, he only played in the final seconds of the game. I really hope they can win this game and become one step closer to winning a championship. But I think the Kings will win this one.</div> He is going to have to play if the Wolves make it to the West finals, nobody else on this bench has anything close to the size to even stand in there with Shaq, but anyway lets not get ahead of ourself. I pray for the return of Sudden Sam in this game. I think if the wolves pull out this type of road game under this type of situation it will be huge for their confidence as the playoffs continue. I know the wolves cant come out with those slow starts the wolves have started the last 2 games with, if they do the kings are really going to jump on them. Wally S, producing a good game would be a great sign as well. Hope Spree can come with another great effort. Also I think the Wolves need to keep Webber & Peja out of the game. When they get involved the kings are a extremely effective offense team. Also keeping bibby out the lane.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">He is going to have to play if the Wolves make it to the West finals, nobody else on this bench has anything close to the size to even stand in there with Shaq, but anyway lets not get ahead of ourself. I pray for the return of Sudden Sam in this game. I think if the wolves pull out this type of road game under this type of situation it will be huge for their confidence as the playoffs continue. I know the wolves cant come out with those slow starts the wolves have started the last 2 games with, if they do the kings are really going to jump on them. Wally S, producing a good game would be a great sign as well. Hope Spree can come with another great effort. Also I think the Wolves need to keep Webber & Peja out of the game. When they get involved the kings are a extremely effective offense team. Also keeping bibby out the lane.</div> Who knows what the Kings will get from CWebb or Miller really? As for Spree, I think you'll see him going wild again. During the T'Wolves' run in Game 4, Spree said that the Kings looked dead on their fee & that they should attack more. Obviously, they didn't do that nearly enough. Friday, though, Spree called a team meeting & told them to get him on the wing often. We saw what happened. The thing is, obviously, that the Kings aren't getting any fresher. Expect Spree to push the thing again Sunday. Picture Spree, KG & Mad Dog playing alot of minutes together. That trio is enough to make coffee nervous.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TWolfFanatic:</div><div class="quote_post">Who knows what the Kings will get from CWebb or Miller really? As for Spree, I think you'll see him going wild again. During the T'Wolves' run in Game 4, Spree said that the Kings looked dead on their fee & that they should attack more. Obviously, they didn't do that nearly enough. Friday, though, Spree called a team meeting & told them to get him on the wing often. We saw what happened. The thing is, obviously, that the Kings aren't getting any fresher. Expect Spree to push the thing again Sunday. Picture Spree, KG & Mad Dog playing alot of minutes together. That trio is enough to make coffee nervous.</div> No doubt but I think you still have to focus on Cwebb & make him put the ball on the floor with his lack of moiblity. if they let Webber be a spot shooter in the mid-range area without a legit hand in his face he is going to kill the Wolves.
this gunna be a huge game! i hope the wolves push it up and get it 2 the guards on the wings because wolves tend to take too many jumpers in the half court set. If the wolves can play smart basketball and get to the hoop and give 110% on defense and stay intense throughout the game.. i think they can pull off a victory! It will be a close game and a great one to watch like every game in this series. Go u WOLVES!!
THAT'S WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT!! KINGS ATE ATE ATE ATE ATE WOLVES FOR DINNER!!! Did you see KG gettin punked by little dude? Man, dont underestimate the power of little dudes... just go ask Kobe hahaha!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Skip:</div><div class="quote_post">THAT'S WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT!! KINGS ATE ATE ATE ATE ATE WOLVES FOR DINNER!!! Did you see KG gettin punked by little dude? Man, dont underestimate the power of little dudes... just go ask Kobe hahaha!!! </div> kg could have worked him over if he wanted to, but decided to play it chill. in the end peeler is prolly gonna end up getting suspended, and garnett wont. it was HARDLY a punking...it was nothing more then a cheap shot. and the 2nd one he threw at that. peeler = scum :thumbsdow
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Skip:</div><div class="quote_post">THAT'S WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT!! KINGS ATE ATE ATE ATE ATE WOLVES FOR DINNER!!! Did you see KG gettin punked by little dude? Man, dont underestimate the power of little dudes... just go ask Kobe hahaha!!! </div>Is this one of those typical Vince Carter fans the mods have complained about? Cause if you are Skip, I'd keep my mouth shut: VC got punked by Stan Van Gundy, for crying out loud! Please, do something about this prick :thumbsdow :thumbsdow :thumbsdow
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Is this one of those typical Vince Carter fans the mods have complained about? Cause if you are Skip, I'd keep my mouth shut: VC got punked by Stan Van Gundy, for crying out loud! Please, do something about this prick</div> Uh... you better get off that KG Stanism. Who cares, it's just fun and games, don't take it so personally... and yea, I did poke fun of VC gettin punked out by Van Gundy... why is this so offensive to you? CHILL OUT!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Big Zee:</div><div class="quote_post">Is this one of those typical Vince Carter fans the mods have complained about? Cause if you are Skip, I'd keep my mouth shut: VC got punked by Stan Van Gundy, for crying out loud! Please, do something about this prick :thumbsdow :thumbsdow :thumbsdow</div> huh? mods complaining about vince carter fans? what has his wank quote got to do with being a vince carter fan?
Typical Vince fan? If anythin, I'm one of the few who CRITICIZE his games... but yea, Raptors fans do suck up to him all the time...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Skip:</div><div class="quote_post">Typical Vince fan? If anythin, I'm one of the few who CRITICIZE his games... but yea, Raptors fans do suck up to him all the time...</div> SOME raptors fans suck up to him...
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SOME raptors fans suck up to him...</div> Dun worry, I wasnt referrin to you... Big Zee, you gotta at least appreciate how DEDICATED Raps fans are though, I mean, just look at the forum, it prolly has the most posts out of any other team forums on the board... what other fans would still stick to a team as much... esp when it's the one that's been down and out for two years?
quit talking about the raptors, you're on the t-wolves forum....... btw, KG was smart to not retaliate...if you think he got punked, thats something of an idiotic statement to make... peeler elbowed him in his stomach first and made him fall to the floor (no call).....next posession Garnett got frustrated and elbowed Peeler's stomach as a revenge move basically and Peeler retaliated with a cheap ass punch-like-elbow to KG's face and you could tell KG was about to fight back but he thought it thru and made the smart choice unlike Peeler, who is an idiot.....fact is, KG is the MVP, his team needs him and despite you thinking he might have gotten punked, KG was smart not to retaliate against the punch...BTW, you really think Anthony Peeler could take on KG in a fight? Looking forward to game 7, should be exciting...I cant stand Arco arena fans....sure they show up for the games but throwing cans at a basketball court isnt gonna do much good... I hope for thier sake, the Wolves make em pay in Game 7, and I want KG to have a monster game to end it out...
I'm sorry if I offended the real VC fans, but what Skip posted was just as low class as Peeler himself: that wasn't funny at all. With mods complaining about VC fans I meant the "fans" that say stuff like "Carter is the greatest player in the L, betta recognize". There are way too much of these guys on these boards...
on tnt, they showed a replay of the whole incident involving garnett and peeler. on the previous play, wally szczerbiak was setting a screen and hit peeler on the face. szczerbiak then rolled off of peeler as peeler had his head turned away and garnett moved in. after that, peeler thinking that garnett was szczerbiak gave garnett an elbow that sent him to the ground. on the next play at the opposite end of the floor, garnett retaliated with a fist of his own to the abdomen of peeler and peeler retaliated to that with an elbow to garnett's face. even though its game 7 on wednesday, i believe both anthony peeler and kevin garnett should both be suspended. the league though has double standards. david stern is always protecting the stars of the league while punishing the other. if they're gonna suspend a person for getting into a fight with someone else, they should suspend both the players of both parties.
