This is a quote from Coach Saunders: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Let's face the fact: [Game 2] is a must-win game for us," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "It's difficult to come back from 0-2 anyway, but even more so when you lose the first two at your place</div> Do you agree with him? or is it concievable for the Wolves to go down 0-2 at home and still be able to take the series
It it possible. The Lakers did it against the Spurs but the Wolves are tired after the series against the Kings so if they loose the second game its almost over. There is no way that the Lakers will give up a 2-0 lead. If the Wolves loose its over.
No doubt, if they win game two they still have a legitimate shot of winning the series. But they would still need a split in LA,winning either game 3 or 4 . But if they lose game 2, I think they will lose alot of confidence. You dont want to go into LA down 0-2 with no confidence, you going to end up getting swept in the series. If Cassell plays, I expected the Wolves to find away to get the victory. I expect a monster game from KG a 25 & 15 game. And hopefully Spree will play well in both halfs of the game. Sam will probably set the tone early for the Wolves like he did in game 1, but the longer the game goes on his back will probably start to tighten up on him. Hopefully Hoiberg &Wally shoot the ball well off the bench. And Kandiman gives them alot of productive minutes, another double-double would be nice but probably unlikely. But Iam still taking the Wolves, this is a must win for them in this series.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting theclown1:</div><div class="quote_post">The Lakers did it against the Spurs </div> Allow me to emphasize the difference. If the Wolves lose game 2, that means they lost two HOMECOURT games. The lakers went down 0-2 on the Spurs floor, but they defended their home court and took a game in San Antonio.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Do you agree with him? or is it concievable for the Wolves to go down 0-2 at home and still be able to take the series</div> Nope. It's pretty much over, they most likely will be swept because I can't see the Lakers toying around with them and let the TWolves have any glimmer of hope.
They really need to win Game 2. It's awful going to LA down 0-2. LA is one of the worst places to play in the NBA-I think even more than Sacramento. In LA, you have all the stars yelling at the refs and players that it's more annoying than anything. You can bet that the Staples Center will be revved up as always. The Wolves need to win Game 2 to get more confidence going to LA for Game 3.
I agree this is a must win game. I don't think it is inconcievable for the Wolves to win after going down 0-2 but it will be a hard task to accomplish. Losing the first 2 games at home will make the Wolves lose alot of confidence. This was the sam situation with Sacramento, they lost in game 1 but won the 2nd game. This will be a very important game. KG will have to play like a MVP. Flip will need to know when to rest him. KG has been playing a big amount of minutes in the last 2 games. I think fatigue is starting to affect his game.
If Minnesota loses this game, i feel it is virtually impossible for them to take this series unless The lakers have a massive breakdown on homecourt and injuries occur, but other than that, it's over if they tonight's game. Today i say Minnesota will win it taking into consideration they are motivated and they are at home.
Game 3 will be the must win game for the TWolves. They still have a slight chance even if they lose both home games. The TWolves were very tight in the first game, understandable since its their first time in the WCF. In order for them to win they need to set the tone early and take a big lead going into halftime. If they allow the Lakers to keep it close, they are going to lose it in the 4th quarter. The Lakers are a slow starting team and the TWolves have to make an effort to get Shaq or Kobe into foul trouble and not let the Lakers find their rhythm. Once the Laker machine gets going, it won't be stopped and the defense will get more and more aggressive on the TWolves. Last game Garnett had a subpar game for his normal stats. He has not been able to produce when he's double teamed in key situations. The Lakers got him out of rhythm early and he missed a lot of shots he normally knocks down. I expect Sprewell to be the key in this game. He has to have a big game for the TWovles to win. He has the big advantage at SF and can do a lot of damage to the Lakers if his shot is dropping. The Lakers weakest position is at the 3, and the TWolves need to find a way to exploit it. If I were the TWolves I would even put a big lineup on the court to try and balance out the war in the paint. My lineup would be: PG - Cassell SG - Spree SF - KG PF - Johnson C - Kandi They could play a zone defense and force the Lakers to beat them from the perimeter. The TWolves have to find a way to negate Shaq's impact on the game. So they need to mix up their lineups by playing with a bigger lineup or putting a faster lineup on the court, forcing Shaq to run up and down and tire out.
This is definately a must win for the Wolves in my opinion. They already looked scared of the Lakers and they are playing at home. I don't see how the Wolves could beat the Lakers in LA 2 games in a row, but than again, I thought the Spurs had the series wrapped up after game 2.
If they don't win game 2, theres no question - It's over. The Lakers won't allow the Twolves to gain any hope, therefore they will protect their home court. Cassell's injury is huge for the TWolves. They need him at full strength to compete with the Lakers. Anyone making bets should back out while they can. (Right shape? :mrgreen: )
i think the wolves will win at least one game and im betting on two, but thats it. i think they can win game 2 and its possible that they will split in LA probably game 4 but i think those will be the only games they will get. if they go down 2-0 to the lakers, the series will prolly go down 4-1 lakers
its possible to come back from that type of defit to win or even to make an interesting series...but Flip is right this a MUST win game for the wolves....if they don't win this game tonight...then they are going to fight an uphill battle...and the lakers in the playoffs is a pretty steep hill....but i think the wolves will bring the pain...HOPEFULLY...go twolves
