<u>Minnesota Timberwolves</u> (8-5) at <u>Golden State Warriors</u> (3-10) Wednesday, December 1, 2004 at 7:30 PM PST At the Arena in Oakland, CA Golden State: 8.5 GB (Pacific, 5th place) Minnesota: 3.5 GB (Northwest, 2nd place) Probable Starters: Minnesota Timberwolves PG Sam Cassell SG Latrell Sprewell SF Wally Sczerbiak PF Kevin Garnett C Mark Madsen Golden State Warriors PG Speedy Claxton SG Jason Richardson SF Mike Dunleavy, Jr. PF Troy Murphy C Dale Davis Quick Recaps Surprinsingly, the Wolves are second place in their division, 3.5 games behind Seattle. However, they have won their last two games convincingly (115-90 against Memphis, and 121-110 against Sacramento) behind the play of superstar Kevin Garnett. The Wolves have been playing without a true center on the court most of the game mostly due to Michael Olowokandi's punishment for his conduct detrimental to the team, putting Mark Madsen, Eddie Griffin and Garnett on the front line for the majority of the game. Along with Garnett, Griffin has taken a big role in the past two games, scoring 35 points over that span. The Warriors are rock bottom in the Pacific conference after losing twice against the Los Angeles Clippers (98-87, and then 103-91). It's been the same story for those games as for most every Warriors game: poor shooting, bad defense, and the lack of a consistent effort for four quarters of the game. Although Richardson and Murphy have been scoring in double digits consistently, they haven't made their teammates better or provided enough energy to get the team a win. Key Matchup Kevin Garnett v. Troy Murphy Garnett is a player who can take over a game by his mere presence. He both makes his team better and handles a large load alone, scoring, rebounding, blocking shots, playing with intensity, and doing all the little things that are necessary to win. Murphy has been passive on the defensive end this season, and will need to step up his play to at least some defense, as well as show some leadership and wits to help contain Garnett. Prediction Minnesota is coming off consecutive wins and seem to be gelling together. On the other hand, Golden State is still finding its way together. Unfortunately for the timing of Golden State, it seems that they will have a tremendous task in beating such a loaded team.
The Warriors unfourtuneatly will probably not win this game not win this game. But if the Warriors can go to the hoop, they will stay close. However look at Minnesota's starring lineuph:Garnett, Madsen, Sczerbiak, Spree and Sam Casell. The Warriors however have Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy, Adonal Foyle, (also Double D and Cliff) Mike Dunleavy, and Speedy. The differences in the staring lineups for both teams will prove to be a big difference in the game tonight. Also the Warriors have no defense and are lacking of a good offensive scheme. If the Warriors stay away from the 3 point line and go inside and get fouled a lot, the Warriors can win this game. It would be nice to see the Warriors get a win against a real good team or a playoff contending team. But at the rate the Warriors have played this year, the Warriors have no chance. Howver if the Warriors give quality playing time to Mickael Pietrus, Troy Murphy, and Speedy Claxton, and they all turn up playing better than most of the other Warriors have this year we could get a win against a good team wihch they have not done the whole season. Hopefully they can tonight.
I'm telling you if we put the ball inside and drive to the hoop and get fouled, this is the Warriors game
Claxton and Cassell will be quite a matchup. Claxton is faster than Cassell but Cassell likes to post up. I think Richardson will get up for Spree, but Spree will get up when the crowd starts booing him. Scerzbiak will have a decent game if he's left wide open (and you know he will with slow-footed Dunleavy guarding him). The last thing you usually see before a shot goes down for the other team is Dunleavy a little too late on the spot and its funny because when Dunleavy contests the shot it almost always goes in. Something about Dunleavy jumping at a player to alter the shot that gives the shooter the same confidence of shooting a wide open jumper. For Madsen I think the matchup is to put Najera or Sesay or Troy Murphy on him. For Garnett, put Cliffy on him since he has a good success of slowing down KG in the post. Pray we don't get out-rebounded single-handedly by him. Anytime Fred Hoiberg is on the court, put Pietrus on him. That'll lower his percentage a bit. I don't know who the T-wolve key reserves are sadly. Are Ervin Johnson and Michael Olowakandi back in the game?
i think timberwolves take a close battle i remember warriors played them tight lass year, even beat them 3 times i say Wolves tho 91-87 Wolves have nuff momentum
I think it will be a blowout game for the Twolves. First two quarters and you will know. Listen to the crowd tonight I bet they will sharing time between booing Latrell Sprewell and our own guys for asking for that much money and not even making a difference on the court (regardless of Jrich and Murphy's injuries. We are kept in mind that Mully signed 2 of 4 FA that has injury problems last year). What is Skriptz btw?
you know if the warriors can stay strong and not shoot outside shots, I think this game could be closer than many people expect
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Air Pietrus:</div><div class="quote_post">you know if the warriors can stay strong and not shoot outside shots, I think this game could be closer than many people expect</div> Since we have no inside presence, if we don't shoot outside shots, we will probably score 20 pts at the end Well, we were always tough against Wolves, so I hope that tradition continues...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kwan1031:</div><div class="quote_post">Since we have no inside presence, if we don't shoot outside shots, we will probably score 20 pts at the end Well, we were always tough against Wolves, so I hope that tradition continues...</div> And it will probably come from Dunleavy when the game doesn't matter anymore and he will talk more smack to the fans because he actually did what he was supposed to do (score points). Everytime we play Kevin Garnett it makes me pissed off how we missed out on 4 really good players the year KG was drafted. We picked Joe Smith as the first overall pick that year. Way to go Tardzick! I'm suprised you aren't ruining Orlando by now. Oh wait he can't, he is not the GM of that franchise.
Originally Posted By Kwan1031 Since we have no inside presence, if we don't shoot outside shots, we will probably score 20pts at the end True the Warriors do not have insde presence but we have Speedy and Pietrus who can go inside and score and get fouled. Also what I meant by outside shots was anything behind the three point line.
This was a good game, I still have some concerns about the Timberwolves defense. I think they are giving up alot of points on their perimeter without Hassell in the starting lineup. But anyway great performances by Cassell 26pts 11rebs 8ast. And KG 17pts, 16rebs & 9ast. We almost witnessed two players on the same team record a triple-double that is extremely rare. Anyway Cliff Robinson always gives KG problems because of his defensive ablities but that is what makes KG who he is, the way he was able to recover from somewhat of a slow start to put up those kind of monster #. The game was alot closer then I expected going into & during the start of the 4th. But the last few games we have started to see what made the Wolves the best 4th quarter team in my opinion last season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">On the plus side though how about Murphy eh? </div> Murphy is definitely takin care of business! Same with Pietrus! Damn he posterized Eddie Griffin. We have a major problem with our point guard scenario. Since this team isn't relying on athleticism like the musselman days, speedy hasn't been playing too hot. His mid range J is not good at all and Fisher is alright to bring off the bench. Maybe sticking in Dunleavy as PG wouldn't be a bad idea like CustodianRules says. He could easily get his shot off. Either that and/or we gotta draft a point guard that can play D, make good decisions and shoot. If you look at the draft it doesn't appear there will be any big's that wouldn't be projects and Biedrins already is one and will be ready to contribute next year. We need someone kind of NBA ready. JRich is lazy. If he wants to be successful he's gotta keep moving and keep his feet moving. He needs to learn from Pietrus.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting upsidedownside7:</div><div class="quote_post">Murphy is definitely takin care of business! Same with Pietrus! Damn he posterized Eddie Griffin. We have a major problem with our point guard scenario. Since this team isn't relying on athleticism like the musselman days, speedy hasn't been playing too hot. His mid range J is not good at all and Fisher is alright to bring off the bench. Maybe sticking in Dunleavy as PG wouldn't be a bad idea like CustodianRules says. He could easily get his shot off. Either that and/or we gotta draft a point guard that can play D, make good decisions and shoot. If you look at the draft it doesn't appear there will be any big's that wouldn't be projects and Biedrins already is one and will be ready to contribute next year. We need someone kind of NBA ready. JRich is lazy. If he wants to be successful he's gotta keep moving and keep his feet moving. He needs to learn from Pietrus.</div> That was a sweet dunk! I saw. I think we need to have a 6'3 or 6'2 guard pure point guard for once that can actually matchup and see over defenders. As I said before the real matchup was Claxton versus Cassell because he will post you up and shoot over you. I was so disappointed that we didn't make a run for Nash this offseason or couldn't find a version of Carlos Arroyo or something because our guard lineup is deceivingly labeled as competitive when we lack pure playmaking skill at times or the ability to shoot accurately without forcing it over taller defenders. Here's the thing... I just want to blame that lack of athleticsm for having guys like Fisher and Dunleavy who get abused night in and night out on Mullin. He wants to construct a team in his image or something of high scoring sloths, but nobody has the touch he had taking it in or shooting from the field and nobody has the guile, energy, aggression to play good defense against the quicker, more athletic perimeter players these days. You'd have to be like Shane Battier or hustle your butt off like Brian Cardinal to have a chance on the perimeter or score more points consistently in a short time than the points you give up because of mediocre defensive matchups.
This was a great game for the Warriors. It was the first time all season that the crowd actually cheered more for the game than for pizza and t-shirts (even including the Hornets triple OT game . . . I guess people really like that pizza). PF/C: We had a lot of inside scoring which was set up by a phenomenal game from Murphy. It was too bad he had to play so many minutes, by the end of the game he was so tired that he couldn't finish or rebound. I hope he doesn't dwell on that missed layup down the stretch. Great hustle from Foyle. I want him starting again. Robinson actually put in some inside shots! Still can't rebound though. We tried playing an odd variation of a 2-3 zone for a while, but the T-wolves picked it up immediately and made us look silly with a few inside scores and jumpers against our slow-reacting post defenders. Great effort on man-to-man D though. SF: Dunleavy made a couple of plays, but defensive effort continues to elude him. Cheaney played good D, but had bad shot selection. Najera vs. Sczerbiak/Griffin would have been nice, but we didn't see him once. SG: Richardson pretty quietly had a great game. This was fantastic because he did not have to worry about being the #1 scoring option every play, but was still very active in the offense. Games where this happens we will do very well offensively as a team. I love Pietrus, but unfortunately he made some costly mistakes. He settled for some outside shots in the 2nd, then got pulled aside. After that, he made some amazing drives, but late in the 4th he passed up an open 18' jumper for a layup vs. Garnett. Not smart. Hopefully he learned his lesson on that one. Best defender on our team, and his stat line never gives him justice - he deserves at least 30mpg and probably some starts. PG: Poor Speedy. He had absolutely no ability to guard Cassell. Too bad too, his energy was missed in the 4th. Fisher did a nice job filling in, but his shot selection is still terrible. Dunleavy wasn't an option here tonight because they have enough scoring in their backcourt that he is always overmatched by the person he is defending. All in all, players are looking more comfortable with the offense, defense looks better (except for the zone, that was horrible), and the rebounding is still bad (once again, START FOYLE).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GSWScruff:</div><div class="quote_post">This was a great game for the Warriors. It was the first time all season that the crowd actually cheered more for the game than for pizza and t-shirts (even including the Hornets triple OT game . . . I guess people really like that pizza). </div> Too bad it ended in Warrior fashion.
