<u>Game Details.:</u> [36-15] @ [26-26] Delta Center Wednesday, Feb 11th, 9:00 pm EST <u>Probable Lineups.:</u> C Ervin Johnson F Kevin Garnett F Trenton Hassell G Latrell Sprewell G Sam Cassell C Greg Ostertag F Michael Ruffin F Andrei Kirilenko G Deshawn Stevenson G Carlos Arroyo <u>Notes & Analysis.:</u> The final game before the All-Star game for both teams, the Wolves will try to handle the Jazz who have given problems for Minnesota for their entire franchise history (45-18 in Utah's favor). The Timberwolves have lost six of their last seven meetings with the Jazz (including 2 this season). Utah will look to close above .500 before the ASG, as the Wolves would to lengthen their advantage in the Midwest divison. <u>Key Points.:</u> Minnesota needs to forget the history with the Jazz. Clearly the Wolves have the advantage at generally every position. Garnett must explotie whoever he is playing, and if doubled... must pass the ball well. Cassell must show up against Arroyo. In the previous game Arroyo exploded against the Wolves handing them the Wolves a loss in the process. Closing the 1st half of the season on a good note would be a big plus. Utah just have to believe they can win. They have done it before, twice handing the Wolves a loss. Let Arroyo do his thing as he did in the 2nd meeting of the season, and use the strategy of all the other teams in the L... keep one of the Big 3 from having a good night, otherwise their chances are slim regardless of the history of the teams. <u>The Matchup.:</u> Sam Cassell vs Carlos Arroyo Carlos Arroyo simply outplayed Sam in the 2nd meeting proppelling the Jazz to their 2nd win over the Timberwolves this season. Sam Cassell must match the enegry of Arroyo, and yes that means he might have to play a little more defense than normal. <font size="1">Player images courtesy NBA.com.</font>
Pack divided, watching both Arroyo and Ostertag. The Wolves should really show up for this team since they've beaten them twice already. Kirilenko is very energetic, but they needed Harpring to get us the first 2 times. He's not in, so it will be feasting time. KG can't be everywhere so we need to box out effectively. Boxing out will be the key to victory tonight.
Jazz sure have gotten some lucky wins this year. I don't think they will get one tonight though. Even if Spreewell doens't bring his A-game, the Wolves still have too much firepower for the Jazz. Wolves by 7.
Sam got in foul trouble early in the 2nd meeting which kind of took him out of his game but those 2 utah(lopez & Arroyo) point guards really gave Sam problems in the both utah/t-wolves game this season. The 1st meeting it was lopez & the 2nd was arroyo. but those meeting came in early November, Sam really got off to a slow start this year & so did the t-wolves. Sam & the team are totally different. Sam didnt really look for his shot in yesterdays, I think to save a little bit of energy for tonights matchup. I think Sam will be looking for a little bit of revenge. It might be a long night for those Utah guards. Sam might be taking names tonight.
I say the wolves don't want to lose to the jazz a 3rd time so they will come out on fire. wolves win by 12 garnett 30+
Why even make a preview? The Jazz will be getting blown out tonight. Hell, the Spurs blew them out, and they only scored 85...
Jazz are 2-0 against the Wolves but the Wolves are on a roll. The Jazz should stay close behind the home crowd, but they fall short in the end.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you kidding? The Jazz beat them twice? How?</div> The first time Garnett got ejected like 6 minutes into the game, and then Greg Ostertag got 21 rebounds. The other one the Timberwolves just played like crap, but we all have those games.
Jazz will win. They need to come out of their slump and what better than do it against one of the best teams in the West? Expect Kirilenko to have a big night and KG to fizzle. Jazz by 6 in a sellout Delta Center.
Minosota will win this time, i dont think Minosota want to lose to the same team 3 times in a row. KG 30-35, Sam with arond 7+ assists and Sprewell with at least 20 points
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">T'ed up, eh? What exactly happened to get him kicked out?</div> Threw the ball into the stands and yelled. You know, the usual.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting twolvefan11:</div><div class="quote_post">Threw the ball into the stands and yelled. You know, the usual.</div> :mrgreen: It should be a close game, only because the Jizz are rarely blown out. KG will pull the Twolves to a victory, like always.
The jizz? Hahaha. What did Arroyo get ejected for? Someone on the Jazz is always getting thrown out. Anyway, low scoring game, but the Wolves will still be coming out of top. Cassell was the only one scoring for a while there.
