<div align="center"><font size="3"><font color="Teal">Minnesota Timberwolves</font></font> @ <font color="MediumTurquoise"><font size="3">New Orleans Hornets</font></font> Minnesota Timberwolves: 42-38 New Orleans: 18-62 Game Info Date: Monday, April 18th Time: 8:00 EST TV: NBALP, KSTC Previous Games Sonics vs. T'Wolves 109-94(L) Hornets @ Clippers 94-89(L) <font size="2"> Starting Lineups</font> <font color="Teal"><font size="3">The T'Wolves</font> Coach Kevin McHale PG: Sam Cassell (13.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.1 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 Troy Hudson </font> <font color="MediumTurquoise"><font size="3">The Hornets</font> Coach Byron Scott PG: Dan Dickau (12.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.8apg) SG: J.R. Smith (10.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1,8apg) SF: Lee Nailon (14.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.7apg) PF: Jackson Vroman (4.5ppg, 3.7rpg, .8apg) C: P.J. Brown (10.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.2apg) Sixth Man Casey Jacobsen (6.4ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.3apg) <u>Injuries</u> C Jamaal Magloire G/F George Lynch F/C Chris Andersen</font></div> Series History In the three previous meetings between the Hornets and the Timberwolves, the Timberwolves have won all three by a slim margin. In their first matchup, the T'Wolves edged the Hornets for a 99-92 win. Two weeks after that game, they matched up again, only for the T'Wolves to mark another win on their schedule with a score of 99-94. And in their last meeting, Minnesota won once again with a final score of 107-102. We may be in store for another close one here in the second to last game of the season for both teams. <u>Keys to the game</u> <ul>Can't Fall Asleep!: As we all know, the T'Wolves are mathematically out of the playoff picture. Let's go and win these two last games and finish strong at least. We can't fall asleep on these guys. Sure, they are one of the worst teams in the NBA, but they do have some nice scorers in Nailon and Dickau. The Hornets can easily turn it on at anytime and play strong, but I just don't think they have found out how to do that yet. So please, let's play a good hard game and win convincingly.[/list] <ul>Bench Production: Everytime I make a preview, I always feel this is one of our biggest keys, because without our bench, we would be struggling to keep the record that we currently stand at. It seems like almost every game that our bench is effective, we win games(an exception was yesterday against the Sonics). Let's hope that Wally, Sam, Hoiberg, and the crew can continue with the outstanding bench production into these final two games.[/list] <div align="center"><u>Remaining Games</u> <font color="Teal">Minnesota</font> 4/20 vs San Antonio <font color="MediumTurquoise">New Orleans</font> 4/20 vs L.A. Clippers</div> Time to play Ebi? Well, today, our VP of Basketball Operations, Kevin McHale, announced that Ndudi Ebi would be activated from the injured list and guard Troy Hudson would be placed there, making him ineligible for the rest of the season. Ebi has not seen one minute of action at all this season. Time for him to see at least some time in an NBA game this season? Tonight seems like the perfect opportunity. The game is against one of the leagues worst NBA teams, the Hornets, and the 'Wolves have no shot at the playoffs, after losing to the Sonics. I think this is the perfect time for Ebi to see some minutes. CUSA Fan's Prediction Up until the Sonics game yesterday, this ball club has played some great basketball, minus the Hawks game played a little while ago, to keep ourselves hanging by a thead in the playoff picture. I'm hoping, in this one, though the team may be upset after realizing they are out of the playoff hunt, that they will come out and blow these Hornets out of their own arena. Though, it may not be classified as a huge win, a nice blowout win would be nice here at the end of the season. Judging by the previous matchups this season, Minnesota has struggled to only win each each by no more than seven points. I see the Hornets giving the 'Wolves no match in this one, though. Wolves by 19. -All discussions prior to, during, or after this game are to be held in here.
wolves can come into this one with their heads down after the lost to the sonics and it's not so fiction cause we can lose this one easily considring the importancy of winning right now.. ebi is playing
we won the game 102-99 ...good job by wally down the stretch and all game long...ebi played and had a pretty nice game for him..id love to see him get this minutes on regular basis start of next year... one more game to go...by the way memphis beat SAS down stretch by 2
Speaking of the Memphis vs. SA game, I'm guessing Mike Miller's game winner counted? If so, I thought it looked like he didn't get it off in time. Anyways, what's with these Hornets? They are one of the worst teams in the league, yet, we find ourselves just getting by. I'm glad Ebi played. When I found out, oh around 6:00 EST here, that Hudson was being moved to the IL and Ebi was being removed, I was happy, because we may finally see him play, and we did. Nine points eight rebounds in his first game of the season, I'd say that's pretty nice. Nice win for the 'Wolves, although, it would have been nicer to win by a bigger margin.
At least we can go out with some dignity. If we would have lost to the Hornets, I would have been sick. Ebi looked good to me. Nine points, eight boards, one steal and one block. I know it's nothing to stun the world, but for a kid with no playing time before that, it's not bad.
I am just glad Ebi played and he looked good. Wally was telling Lisa B. Olsen, Timberwolves sideline reporter for Ch. 45, about how great Ebi was.
