<div align="center"><font size="2"><font color="Teal">Minnesota Timberwolves</font></font> @ <font color="DarkGreen"><font size="2">Boston Celtics</font></font> Minnesota Timberwolves: 29-30 Boston Celtics: 31-28 Game Info Date: Sunday, March 6th Time: 5:00 CST TV: NBALP, FSNN Previous Games Bucks @ T'Wolves 103-97(W Bobcats @ Celtics 104-84(W) <font size="2"> Starting Lineups</font> <font color="Teal"><font size="2">The T'Wolves</font> Coach Kevin McHale PG: Troy Hudson (8.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 3.6 apg) SG: Trenton Hassell (5.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.6 apg) SF: Latrell Sprewell (12.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.2 apg) PF: Kevin Garnett (22.2 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 5.8 apg) C: Ervin Johnson (1.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, .1 apg) Sixth Man Wally Szczerbiak (15.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.3apg) <u>Injuries</u> F Eddie Griffin G Sam Cassell G/F Ndudi Ebi </font> <font size="2"><font color="DarkGreen">The Celtics</font></font> <font color="DarkGreen">Coach Doc Rivers PG: Gary Payton (12.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 6.1apg) SG: Ricky Davis (15.0 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.8 rpg) SF: Paul Pierce (21.8 ppg, 4.1 apg, 6.8 rpg) PF: Antoine Walker (20.7 ppg, 3.7 apg, 9.5 rpg) C: Raef Lafrentz (11.3 ppg, 1.2 apg, 7.3 rpg) Sixth Man Delonte West (4.7 ppg, 1.2 apg, 1.3 rpg) <u>Injuries</u> G Tony Allen</div></font> Series History In the last six meeting against the Boston Celtics, the T'Wolves have lost five times, including a loss this season to the Celtics. The T'Wolves lost to the Celtics, 103-100 in that game. Garnett and Olowokandi led Minnesota in scoring with twenty one points each with Garnett also grabbing thirteen rebounds. The Celtics lead the all-time series, 17-13. All-time at the Fleet Center, the T'Wolves are 6-3. Keys to the game: <ul>Bench production: The bench needs to produce in this game. Minnesota found themselves in a double digit hole against the Bucks, but then the bench, led by Wally and Hoiberg, fired up and won the game for the T'Wolves. The outscored the Bucks 53-6 in bench scoring, which is just astonishing. When Minnesota gets their bench going, that's when they seem to find themselves winning games. If the bench can have a strong showing, we can win this.[/list] <ul>Great starters for Boston: With the return of 'Toin and the resiging of Payton, the Celtics now have themselves a starting five who all average in double figures in scoring. This could be very key for the Celtics in this game. If Pierce and 'Toine get going early and have a good game, then the T'Wolves will have some troubles. It's obvious that Minnesota needs to starters to get into foul trouble and keep them quiet as much as they can in order to have some success.[/list] <ul>Garnett vs. Walker: This is definitely a big matchup in this game. Since the return of Walker to Boston, the Celtics have had success. Garnett needs to win this matchup, which he is definitely capable of doing. If Garnett can have one of his 25 point games along with around 15 rebounds, and a good amount of assists, it could give Minnesota a slight edge in this game and can help us win. It's very key, though, for Walker not to get going early.[/list] CUSA Fan's Prediction I think we lose this one. Sure we are coming off of a win, but I think the inconsistent play continues. I think the only way for this Minnesota team to have a chance at winning this game is to have a strong showing from the bench. As I mentioned, we seem to have great success when the bench dominates the opposition, as seen against the Bucks, and earlier against the Sonics. The Celts are undefeated with 'Toine and I see them continuing the streak. T'Wolves: 85 Celtics: 92
it's gonna a be a tough game to win...i so hope we will cause we need it,and bad...next comes the heat and were frozen next to them....
This is going to be a tough game. The Celtics have been playing very well since Walker came back. KG has been scoring better averaging 25pts in the last 4 games. They will have to play consistent and great defense because Boston has some great offensive threats. But the Wolves have already lost against the Celtics at home. I don't see them winning on the road. Celtics win by 2.
The Celtics are very powerful with the return of Walker, and will be even more so with that of Payton. The Celtics are on a run, and are very focused on continuing that run. Highly unlikelly Wolves get a win. I predict: 85 101
Boston has been surging ever since they got Walker. They have won four straight now, and recently signed Gary Payton back. I think to win we are going to have to play great transition defense. Pierce, Walker, Davis, and Banks all love to run. They will kill us on the break if we don't get back. Also, Hassell has to really lock on to Pierce. He can pick apart a defense with his penetration, and also get to the line a lot. And lastly, our bench has to produce. Boston has a very deep bench, and they can keep getting fresh legs on the floor all night. Our bench is going to have to match if we want a chance at this one. I am going to go with the streaking Celtics by six.
In the past, I truly would have believed that the Wolves would rise to the occasion and win this game since they were beaten by the Celtics already, but their inability to be consistent makes me worry. I believe that if we will have anything to look forward to this season, they will win. If not, I'm looking to the lottery. But hey, I was one who didn't believe that Stone Cold Steve Austin was going to be popular and Brittany Spears wouldn't catch on....so I may not be the wisest of all .
JUST AN F.Y.I.: With 4:37 left in the 3rd and Payton schooling Hudson, Hudson became the example of why I do not like him. His erratic behavior and defenseless skills just show me that he is NOT a starter in OUR gameplan. Some team might need a player like him, but his inability to be dependable in any aspect makes him a liability. ..... The Wolves should really look at how they won this game. Defense prevailed in this win. I'm really proud because of HOW they played. I saw alot of rotating on defense, extra passing, and a real hunger to win. Great win for the boys. How did you like the "KG bends down to get his finger splint and walks into an 3 point opportunity"?
Hey i was right in predicting we would win. KG almost had a triple double! I wish he would have gotten it, i dont think hes got one yet this year. John Thomas had a great game 12 and 8.
I hope Celtics analyst Tommy Heinsohn is not mad at me when he finds out that how I stole his line (For those who are not familiar with Tommy's line, he would always say "I LOVE WALTAH" when Walter McCarthy used to do something great for the Celtics in his time there), but I will do it anyway. For one night, I LOVE LATRELLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Latrell was huge in the fourth quarter with his defense and his big shots hence why I said I love Latrell. That steal in which he stole the ball from Pierce was huge and it set the table for Latrell to shoot that huge jumper in the end. When Latrell feels like playing, he can help. Wally was huge too. It was great to see the Timberwolves make some big plays on defense and offense down the strech with Boston having a 7-point lead with three minutes to go in the fourth. Good W for the Wolves as McHale was successful in his return to his old stomping grounds. Back-to-back wins. I can dig that. I like to see the Timberwolves go to Miami Thursday with a three-game winning streak. They need this win against the Bobcats.
This was a good victory for McHale and the team. Garnett has had a couple triple doubles this year though. Sprewell's shot was huge. We did a nice job of containing Pierce, which was my focal point.
I think we really had luck that we could pull this win off. We deserved it though. I hope they can feed off this win now and continue to play strong, until they meet my Magic on Friday, then of course they have to lose again And Garnett hasn't had any triple doubles this season so far, not according to NBA.com's statistics. He came pretty close a couple of times though.
