GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: MINNESOTA (1-10) at NEW ORLEANS (10-5)

NBA: MINNESOTA (1-10) at NEW ORLEANS (10-5)

<h3>Timberwolves look to turn around dismal start vs. Hornets</h3>

Minnesota (1-10) at New Orleans (10-5) 8:00 pm EST

NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves must bewondering why they traded Kevin Garnett during the offseason.

The struggling Timberwolves aim for just their second win of theseason and try to end a five-game losing streak Monday whenthey visit the New Orleans Hornets.


Minnesota traded the disgruntled Garnett to the Boston Celticsin August for five players, two future first-round picks andcash considerations.


Although it provided Minnesota with a bevy of young players anda bright future, the deal has yielded negative returns at thepresent, as the Timberwolves own the worst record in the NBA.

Minnesota extended its slide Saturday, suffering a 94-87 setbackto the Atlanta Hawks.


Al Jefferson, one of the centerpieces in the Garnett deal,scored 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for his ninthdouble-double of the season.


While the Timberwolves' struggles continue, the Hornets havebeen one of the surprise teams so far this season.

New Orleans snapped a three-game slide with a 98-89 victory overthe Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Chris Paul scored just11 points in the win but dished out 10 assists - his eighth gamein double digits this season.

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA AT NEW ORLEANS - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


MINNESOTA NEW ORLEANS

F Ryan Gomes F Peja Stojakovic
F Mark Madsen F David West
C Al Jefferson C Tyson Chandler
G Rashad McCants G Morris Peterson
G Marko Jaric G Chris Paul

OFFICIALS: Dan Crawford
David Jones
Gary Zielinski</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA VS NEW ORLEANS - INACTIVES

MINNESOTA NEW ORLEANS

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
T RATLIFF SORE RIGHT KNEE R BOWEN SPRAINED LEFT KNEE
M DOLEAC COACH'S DECISION A HALUSKA COACH'S DECISION
R FOYE STRAINED LEFT PATELL</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 4
NEW ORLEANS 4 8:56 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 11
NEW ORLEANS 4 6:03 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 17
NEW ORLEANS 14 3:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 29
NEW ORLEANS 19 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 29 29
NEW ORLEANS 19 19 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

MIN - ANTOINE WALKER 8, AL JEFFERSON 8, RASHAD
MCCANTS 6
NOR - CHRIS PAUL 8, BOBBY JACKSON 4, DAVID
WEST 4</div>

 

Re: NBA: MINNESOTA (1-10) at NEW ORLEANS (10-5)

Antoine just had an outstanding first quarter. He knocked down back-to-back three's and then finished the quarter with a nice drive to the basket. Toine has been exceptional off the bench over the past two weeks.</p>

Go Toine!!!</p>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 38
NEW ORLEANS 22 8:24 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 47
NEW ORLEANS 24 5:50 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 49
NEW ORLEANS 28 2:59 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

Re: NBA: MINNESOTA (1-10) at NEW ORLEANS (10-5)

Bassy has been great in this first half. It's definitely his best first half of the season. He's attacking, he's active, he's finishing around the rim, he's making beautiful passes, and he's really hustling. He's having some trouble defending Chris Paul off the crossover, but other than that, he has been terrific. Marko has, too.</p>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 58
NEW ORLEANS 37 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 29 29 58
NEW ORLEANS 19 18 37 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

MIN - MARKO JARIC 12, ANTOINE WALKER 10, AL
JEFFERSON 10
NOR - CHRIS PAUL 15, TYSON CHANDLER 6, DAVID
WEST 6</div>

 

Re: NBA: MINNESOTA (1-10) at NEW ORLEANS (10-5)

Man, I really hope the Wolves don't fall apart in the second half again. This lead is just too big to let go of, and everybody is playing so well. I hope this continues. Right now, the only thing killing the Wolves is Chris Paul's penetration. They need to rotate better inside after Paul blows past Marko or Bassy.</p>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 62
NEW ORLEANS 46 8:49 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 66
NEW ORLEANS 50 5:44 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 73
NEW ORLEANS 56 2:57 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 76
NEW ORLEANS 61 END, 3RD QTR</div>