<div align="center">@ <font color="Indigo"><font face="Comic Sans MS"> Minnesota TimberWolves (27-12 ) @ Toronto Raptors ( 20-19 ) Tip Off Time : 7:08 Pm et, 4:08 Pm pt Arena : Air Canada Center TV ( Local ) :Toronto ( Toronto1 ) , Nationaly ( Raptors NBA TV ) </font> </font> <font color="DarkRed"><font size="1">nba.com :</font></font> TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves once again look to produce a stellar defensive effort against the Toronto Raptors when they meet on Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre. On November 1, the Timberwolves held the Raptors to a franchise-low 56 points in a 17-point victory at the Target Center. Toronto had a team record-low 24 points in the second half and shot just under 28 percent for the game (19-of-69). Toronto is 0-8 at Minnesota but 6-2 against the Timberwolves here. The Timberwolves have won six of their last seven games overall, including a 97-90 triumph over New Orleans on Monday. ....... Starting LineUps : The Raptors : Jalen Rose/Alvin Williams/Morris Peterson/Donyell Marshall/Chris Bosh Rotation Players : Mike Curry/Milt Palacio/Lonny Baxter/Roger Mason Jr. Coach : Kevin O'Neill .... Minnesotta T'Wolves : Sam Cassell/Trenton Hassell/Latrell Sprewell/Kevin Garnett/Ervin Johnson Rotation Players : Troy Hudson/Mark Madson/Fred Hoiberg/Oliver Miller/Gary Trent Coach : Phil 'Flip' Saunders ...... Pups n' Ups : # Troy Hudson is in his second game back after the injury ! # Coach Oneill is expected to go deep into his big men rotation due to Wolves' loaded front court # Vince Carter is a game time descision # The Big O ( Oliver Miller ) is making his return to T.O. #Chris Bosh will still wear the knee brace # A sell out crowd is expected t cheer for the home team when they take KG, Sam I Am, and Spree ! # Milt Palacio is activated from the injured list, and expected to play tonight .... Injuries : Raps : Mike Bradley, Eric Montross. T'Wolves : Wally Szsczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi. ... Keys To The Game : * Prevent penetration ! .. It's Alvin Williams' job to stop Cassell from penetrating to the foul line ! .. because he creates not only for him self .. but for others as well ! * Interior defence ! .. Just a reminder : We're playing against The Big Ticket * Rebounding and cleaning the glass is a must .. Just a reminder : We're playing against The Big Ticket * Go to the basket .. drive hard and not settle for the jumb shot .. if we keep firing up shots .. we're in the way for a blow out ! ... AC's Take : Coming home aftre two tough losses .. KO got the player's attention and hopefully Vince will play .. sell out crow will have an impact . I say .. Raps by 6 !</div>
You are picking Raptors to beat the Timberwolves? I admire your confident Considering you have lost two straight and Wolves have won 19 out of their last 23.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">You are picking Raptors to beat the Timberwolves? I admire your confident Considering you have lost two straight and Wolves have won 19 out of their last 23.</div> Listen .. I didn't say that we're better than the Wolves .. that's just pure ignorance .. every game has different circumestances, espicialy if Vince and Milt play .. and I have a feeling we can win this one ... something wrong ?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Air Canada:</div><div class="quote_post">every game has different circumestances, espicialy if Vince and Milt play .. and I have a feeling we can win this one ... something wrong ?</div> Yes I thing,the Wolves 3rd option is having a better season than your 1st option.That tells you how good the Wolves team is even with 2 starters missing.Who is going to D up Garnett? Who is going to stop Sprewell attacking the basket? I will be shocked to see Raptors win this or coming close.It's good that you are staying true to your team, but predicting a win is not realistic.
Sam Iam vs A.Will is an execllent matchup. Alvin Williams is a solid defender but Sam is just so crafty, You know by the end of the game Sam will get his 20pts. If Vince doesnt play its going to be hard for the Raptors to win this game they just dont have enuff scoring to keep place with the wolves. Hassell can contain Jalen Rose, who is their best perimeter option with Vince out. And the Marshall vs KG matchup is another hard one for the Raptors to win. Marshall is going to stand around out side of the paint and take alot of jumpers while KG going to get alot of easy scores against the Raptors small front line. The one thing that gives the t-wolves alot of trouble are teams that offensive rebound well. but that not Raptors. I see the Raptors hanging around early but the wolves will pull away as the game goes on. Recently the t-wolves have changed from a team that really beat up on teams in the first half to a team that doesnt get rolling until the second half. Thats why I think the Raptors can keep it close early playing at home.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">Sam Iam vs A.Will is an execllent matchup. Alvin Williams is a solid defender but Sam is just so crafty, You know by the end of the game Sam will get his 20pts. </div> Definitely, he's like the Mobley/Cato/Snow of the Raptors. I like the Raptors' Individuals but kind of despise the team. I say my team takes this, by double digits at least. Wolves by 11. My team has the better inside force and bench, knowing the Raptors though, they'll probably put up one hell of a fight. Good luck everybody. Nice preview by the way.
latest news : * Mike Curry has been placed on the injury list half an hour ago , and he'll have surgery on his elbow next week ! * Robert Archibald sprained his ankle in this morning's shootaround and highly doubtful for the game * Vince had a great shootaround .. but KO assumed that he won't play today .. definitly not good news .. espicially the Curry one
If Vince is heathly enuff to play & he had a good shoot around then he should play. You aready hear all the jokes starting on the sports show about Vince's injury this time. TNT's inside the NBA crew had jokes about it & so did a sportcaster on sportscenter. Charles called him half man/half a season. I know you dont play for the media. but If vince can play he needs too.
well .. it's up to the medical staff .. they don't wanna rush it so it get reagrevated ... i.e. Amare + Gilbert
It's up to the medical staff .. they have the last word on " Should he play or not " As for Charles Barkley running garbage out of his mouth .. it doesn't bother us (Raps Fans) anymore .. we believe in Vince and in the team .. KO believes in him and so do his teammates ! And if you read the quote under my sig carefully .. you'll figure out that Vince himself doesn't care .. ! Let's not turn this thread to another " Vince Sucks " one .. and concentrate on tonight's game
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes I thing,the Wolves 3rd option is having a better season than your 1st option.That tells you how good the Wolves team is even with 2 starters missing.Who is going to D up Garnett? Who is going to stop Sprewell attacking the basket? I will be shocked to see Raptors win this or coming close.It's good that you are staying true to your team, but predicting a win is not realistic.</div> Sprewell is not having a beter year than Vince IMO. Vince's Stats droped when he got hurt because he had 0 points and they count that. <font size="1"><font color="Red">This is your last and final warning. Believe that. -Rudeezy</font></font>
Great preview Air Canada. Kudos. But I also think you are a little to optimistic. Wolves will take this double digits.
The Timberwolves should take this one with Vince out. And I don't see how anyone can guard KG on that team. And even if they do, they will have to double team him, and that leaves either Cassell or Sprewell open a lot, and they can make their jump shots. To many options for the Raptors to handle, so I say Timberwolves by 7.
Timberwolves 108, Raptors 97 Cassell went off, scoring 30 points, giving out 13 assists, and grabbed 7 rebounds. Garnett followed with 28 points and 11 rebounds, and Sprewell chipped in with 24 points. Madsen scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds off the bench, and Hudson had 5 points off the bench. On the other side of ball, Donyell Marshall, a former Timberwolf, scored 22 points and had 4 steals. Milt Palacio came off the bench to score 18 points. Jalen Rose scored 17 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Good overall game by the Wolves, who have won 9 of their last 10 games. Recap Box Score
Cassell had 19 of his 30 in the 2nd half, not bad at all. I expected nothing less of the Wolves, noticable margin of victory, as expected. Just another day in the office.
I think most people expected a Wolves win--especially with Vince's injury. Another W for the Wolves...wow!
