<div align="center"><font size="3"><font color="Green">Seattle Supersonics</font></font> @ <font color="Teal"><font size="3">Minnesota Timberwolves</font></font> Minnesota Timberwolves: 42-37 Seattle Supersonics: 51-28 Game Info Date: Sunday, April 17th Time: 3:30 EST TV: (not televised) Previous Games T'Wolves @ Jazz 100-84(W) Hornets @ Sonics 97-72(W) <font size="2"> Starting Lineups</font> <font color="Teal"><font size="3">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, 13.7 rpg, 5.7 apg) C: Michael Olowokandi (5.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .4 apg) Sixth Man Wally Szczerbiak (15.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.3apg) <u>Injuries</u> F/C Mark Madsen G/F Ndudi Ebi </font> <font color="Green"><font size="3">The Sonics</font> Coach Nate McMillan PG: Luke Ridnour (10.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.8apg) SG: Ray Allen (23.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.7apg) SF: Rashard Lewis (20.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.3apg) PF: Reggie Evans (4.9ppg, 9.4rpg, .8apg) C: Jerome James (5.0ppg, 3.0rpg, .2apg) Sixth Man Antonio Daniels (11.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.1apg) <u>Injuries</u> F Vladamir Radmanovich C Robert Swift</font></div> <u>How Important Is this Game?</u> <ul>For Minnesota: This game is VERY important. This is a must win for the team, along with the final two games against the Hornets and the Spurs. They stand currently one and a half games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8th and final playoff spot. The T'Wolves must win out, and have the Grizzlies lost out so be able to make it into the playoffs. The team must play with every ounce of energy they have to win this game.[/list] <ul>For Seattle: It's been an outstanding season for the Sonics this season, and to cap it off, it would be nice for them to make it into the playoffs with homecourt advantage. How the homecourt advantage works is the top four teams in each conference win homecourt advantage. Since the Sonics are barely hanging on to the final homecourt spot, a win tonight will clinch it for them. But, as a Minnesota fan, I would love to see the T'Wolves win this more than the Sonics.[/list] <u>Keys to the game</u> <ul>Rebounding: The Sonics do have some big bodies to bang against us. They have Evans averaging 9.4 RPG, James averaging 3.0 RPG, Allen averaging 4.4 RPG, and Lewis averaging 5.5 RPG. Anyone on of those guys can grab a rebound at any given time. I always feel the rebounding battle is key. If we win the rebounding battle, it may help us control the tempo.[/list] <ul>Bench Production: In a previous game this season, the T'Wolves went off and killed the Sonics in the bench scoring, and ended up winning the game. If the T'Wolves can score even close to as many bench point that they had in that game, then it should be a win. With Wally, Cassell, Hoiberg, and others coming off of the bench and giving this team the production it needs, a win can be in sight.[/list] <div align="center"><u>Race for the 8th</u> <font color="Teal">Minnesota</font> 4/18 @ New Orleans 4/20 vs San Antonio <font color="Royalblue">Memphis</font> 4/18 vs San Antonio 4/20 vs Dallas</div> CUSA Fan's Prediction We've been playing some great basketball. We're coming off two big blowout wins against the red hot Warriors by sixteen, and the slumping Jazz by sixteen as well. The problem is, the Sonics have taken two of the three games that we have played against them this season. I have to be optimistic about this game, along with the rest of the games this season. I'm going to say the T'Wolves out rebound and out hustle the struggling Sonics. T'Wolves by 6. -All discussions prior to, during, or after this game are to be held in here.
^ I dont think the game is coming on League Pass today, cause I turned to CH. 431 and for me that is the channel that gives the run down of the League pass games and Sonics/Wolves wasnt listed. I think it has to do with the fact that ABC has a nationally covered game with the exact same tipoff time. And sometimes on weekends when a national game has the same tip time, league Pass doesnt show the game. Iam guessing so they can get the national ratings, cause its important to league. Anyway, the Sonics have some key parts back so this game is going to be difficult. I think if the Wolves can execute well in the 4th they will pull out a victory. But it is easier said then done, sometimes the 4th quarter execution is great sometimes they look scared. A big game, I expect Garnett and Cassell to take most of the 4th quarter shots, hopefully that adds up to a victory. Also Cassell and Hudson have to limit Luke Ridnour and Daniels ablity to get into the paint. Last game Mcleod of Utah, really broke the Wolves down, the game before that Tyronn Lue made things happen for the Hawks. So as usual for this team defending the point guard will be key. Wolves guards cant get ate up in the pick & roll
My apologies. I accidentally looked forward and saw the Hornets game was on NBALP, and put it for the Sonics game. This game is not even televised, even on local television.
discusting,disapointing,ugly as hell-the season of the wolves ladies and gentelmans is over....ugly!!! nothing comforts me i want this season to be erased so badly...good night pepole i'm over with this thing, 18 point lead in the 4th kg playing plain ugly in one of the most important games...they don't have enough to shut them down....
Yeah, it's all come down to this. Looks like the Wolves are about go down in flames and miss the play-offs.
And I spent all of this time on this wicked sweet preview, to see a loss.... It was all Lewis and Allen in this one. Lewis scored 28 and Ray goes off for 34 to stab a dagger into our up and down season. I'm disapointed...but I could have saw it coming. We outscored the Sonics in bench scoring alone with Wally and Cassell, but we lost the rebound battle. It was just too much Ray and Lewis for the 'Wolves to handle. Damnit...
Wow even thought i knew this was coming its still weird to think that, no playoffs since 8 years.....
I was thinking that we would miss the playoffs because of Dallas dropping the final game....guess I was wrong. I thought the team was starting to have some heart and pride.
it's right like KG said(by the way i was disapointed by he's play tonight but nevermind now) the team was killed by her own sucess last season. that last year's was so magical we were so good! players stomaches and pride got way over fed and that's when guys took for granted that they will make another big season considering no one left...sprewell was so stupid! to think about it...i said to himself "damn them if they will throw me out in the end of the contract after what i gave them, i might as well ask for more for what i'm giving" but didn't he ever think the more logical?! if he will come and prove the same thing this season too,most likely that he would have maybe re-signd any way! instead,he made noise about he deserves more...he did by his play last season but he was so selfish,way to selfish...i have less complains for Sam cause he was really down woth injuries...KG came with all he's got again...wally was very good...what a sham...we really could have been really good if it wasn't for the players leaning back and take things for granted...i was even dissapointed by Hassel who didn't hassel as nearly as he did so awsome last season....i wonder how things would of turned around if Flip would of stayed... the 2005-2006 should be a blast considring this season falling flat..a new coach will come,hopefully a good one(theres a way flip is coming back?) roster will get changed...and i'm positive we won't fall flat,i believe a 1-5 in west isn't a fantasy..... hope we'll have a great summer and come out strong with passion by all of the organization....
Seriously here. How many times has it ever happened, that the two teams that met in the Western Conference Finals, both didn't make the playoffs next year? I can guarantee the odds are slim. And to make it worse, we didn't lose one key component to our team. I guess enough of that. Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Luke Ridnour had great games. They all stepped up at different times, and were just too much for us. I am looking forward to the offseason, we better make some drastic changes.
