<div align="center"><font size="3"><font color="DimGray">San Antonio Spurs</font></font> @ <font color="Teal"><font size="3">Minnesota Timberwolves</font></font> Minnesota Timberwolves: 43-38 San Antonio Spurs: 59-22 Game Info Date: Wednesday, April 20th Time: 8:00 EST TV: NBALP, FSNN Previous Games T'Wolves @ Hornets 102-99(W) Spurs @ Grizz 94-92(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="DimGray"><font size="3">The Spurs</font> Coach Gregg Popovich PG: Tony Parker (16.7ppg, 3.8rpg, 6.7apg) SG: Manu Ginobili (16.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.9apg) SF: Bruce Bowen (8.2ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.6apg) PF: Tim Duncan (20.6ppg, 11.2rpg, 2.7apg) C: Nazr Mohammed (9.5ppg, 7.6rpg, .4apg) Sixth Man Brent Barry (7.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.2apg) <u>Injuries</u> C Rasho Nasterovic G Devin Brown F Linton Johnson III</font></div> Series History The San Antonio Spur's defense has beenn showing on the T'Wolves in their last five meetings. The T'Wolves have only won one out of the last five games against the Spurs, and the T'Wolves are being held to only 83.8. This season, the Spurs are on the verge of sweeping Minnesota in the season series. The Spurs won the first game, on December 23rd, 96-82. In the second meeting, the result was no different, with the Spurs winning by a large margin, on a final score of 89-73. As mentioned, the defense by the Spurs has gotten to the T'Wolves, and you may find a similar result in this one. <u>Keys to the game</u> <ul>Perimeter Defense: The Spurs have some very lethal perimeter players. There's Robert Horry, Beno Udrih, Manu, Bowen, and Barry. The Timberwolves need to play some of their better perimeter defense tonight to stop these guards. Of course, Hassell would be one of the favorites to stop some of these guys, considering the fact that he is our best perimeter defender, and he is also one of the best in the league. It also means that some guys who don't play the best defense, such as Wally, need to step it up tonight.[/list] <ul>Garnett vs. Duncan: One of the best matchups that you could ask for. Both may be playing a bit of the center spot as well at times in this game. These two players are two of the best players in the NBA right now. Both were All-Stars, and I get goose bumps just thinking about this matchup because of how special it is. This matchup could be very vital to each team's success. I'm expecting both players to light it up tonight and have some big statistical games.[/list] <ul>Minutes To Go Around: In the Spurs last game, in which they suffered a loss to the Grizz on a game winning shot by Mike Miller, they had a total of eleven different players play, and of those eleven players, nine of them played twenty minutes or more. Could this be an advantage for the 'Wolves, with some of the Spurs' star players not getting as many minutes as usual? Or could it be a disadvantage with all of the fresh bodies coming in and out of the game? We'll see tonight.[/list] Season Finale Well, as we all know, this really hasn't been a season that we have enjoyed. We have played far below expectations, and a lot of inner turmoil within the team has been a reason for this. I think the team needs to go out there tonight, put all of that behind them, and win this game. There would be nothing better to win this game to finish this season on a high note. We need to go out there and control the tempo. We need to work the ball around and get the open shots that are available, but it may be difficult, with the Spurs being one of the better defensive teams in the league. Let's just go out there, play tough, and get a win, and make everyone happy. CUSA Fan's Prediction Minnesota is coming off of a win and the Spurs are coming off a tough loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, which could be a definite advantage for us. Both teams really have nothing to play for, with the T'Wolves already eliminated from playoff contention, and the Spurs already in with the two seed. You may see a lot of players getting minutes, who usually don't get minutes such as Ebi for the T'Wolves who played very nicely against the Hornets in his first game of the season. The T'Wolves need to be patient tonight and find the open looks and make the extra passes. The defense of the Spurs has definitely gotten the better of them and they need to avoid it tonight. I definitely have to stay optimistic in this game, being the final one of the season, but it will be tough to win. -All discussions prior to, during, or after this game are to be held in here.
I can't believe nobody has commented on this game! We won, big time, 95-73. Ebi played his best game of his career, with 18 points and 8 rebounds. The 'Wolves had five different players in double figures including Ebi, Garnett, Hassell, Carter, and Kandi. Awsome way to end the season.
Well no one had responded because, even though you don't like to say it, the game was pointless. I know, it's hard for me to say too, but it's the truth. Ebi pretty much could do whatever he wanted. It didn't seem like anyone cared that he was even being a ball hog at times. There was one possession that took about sixteen seconds, and he was the only one that had the ball. He did like seven jabs to try to free himself, it didn't work, so he threw up a fadeaway. That was something you could definately see in his inexperience. Also, he needs to learn to move without the ball. But hey, I shouldn't be ripping on him, he did have a great game, I just wonder if it will be his last in Minnesota.
It may have been a pointless game, I just thought a win was needed to end the season on a high note, from all of the disapointments involved with this team this year. Of course, San Antonio played a lot of players in this game, which was expected. I wish I could have saw this game to see Ebi in action. I think getting NBA League Pass is a definite need for me next season, I hate missing out on these games.
I agree with you CUSA, this game wasn't really pointless. At least we ended the season with a winning streak and Ebi got to see some minutes. Minutes in which he showed some promising things. Well, I didn't see it but from the stats it looks like it.
I just don't get why people say that ending the season with a win is important when we aren't in the playoffs. It still is pointless because it won't help us in anyway, it won't help us in the off season nor for next season. It's always good that we won but I don't really care because we aren't going to the playoffs and that what's important. It's good to see Ebi played well, looking at the stats because I didn't watch the game. I hope we will see more of Ebi next season.
My mind is on the Twins right now. I was watching the Twins find a way to win with the bases loaded against the Royals Wednesday night and I was too happy to see them win and execute with the bases loaded then. I mod a Twins board in a baseball site so I have been busy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure:</div><div class="quote_post">Well no one had responded because, even though you don't like to say it, the game was pointless. I know, it's hard for me to say too, but it's the truth. Ebi pretty much could do whatever he wanted. It didn't seem like anyone cared that he was even being a ball hog at times. There was one possession that took about sixteen seconds, and he was the only one that had the ball. He did like seven jabs to try to free himself, it didn't work, so he threw up a fadeaway. That was something you could definately see in his inexperience. Also, he needs to learn to move without the ball. But hey, I shouldn't be ripping on him, he did have a great game, I just wonder if it will be his last in Minnesota.</div> Though, you can make a case for Ebi in that situation. He hasn't played any minutes the entire season, except for the Hornets game. If I was in his situation, I would probably be ball hogging it too to actually be able to show what I can do and actually score some points after sitting out the entire season. I understand, it may have shown a little inexperience, but keep in mind he has sat out the whole season and he actually wanted to show what he is capable of, scoring wise.
I'm aware. And it's not like anyone was mad at him for doing it, they understood. But I do think that when he can't get an open shot, then he needs to know to dish it.
