<div align="center"><u><font size="5"><font color="#006633">MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES</font> @ <font color="#003366">CLEVELAND CAVALIERS</font></font></u> <u><font size="3"><font color="#003366">PROJECTED STARTERS</font></font></u> <u><font size="2"><font color="#003366">CAVS</font></font></u> <font color="#003366">C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF Drew Gooden SF LeBron James SG Larry Hughes PG Eric Snow</font> <font color="#006633">C Michael Olowokandi PF Kevin Garnett SF Wally Szczerbiak SG Trenton Hassell PG Marko Jaric</font> <u><font size="2"><font color="#006633">TIMBERWOLVES</font></font></u> <u><font size="3"><font color="#003366">MATCHUP BREAKDOWN</font></font></u></div> <font color="#003366">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</font> v <font color="#006633">Michael Olowokandi</font> ? Two seven-footers will be squaring off at the Q, with one being a clear leader in both stats and skill. The Lithuanian has been performing at a better level than the Kandi man consistently for a long time. I expect Z to take this matchup with relative ease. <font color="#003366">Drew Gooden</font> v <font color="#006633">Kevin Garnett</font> ? A solid PF against one of the top two PFs in the League. Although Gooden has been playing pretty well, the Big Ticket should be able to surpass him. <font color="#003366">LeBron James</font> v <font color="#006633">Wally Szczerbiak</font> ? In similar fashion to the KG ? Gooden matchup, I expect LeBron to come out well above Szczerbiak. The youngster should, despite his age, be able to perform to an adequate level even if it is a sub-par performance. <font color="#003366">Larry Hughes</font> v <font color="#006633">Trenton Hassell</font> ? Hughes has been in great form recently, and I expect him to perform well above the level that Hassell will, whatever circumstances he finds himself in. <font color="#003366">Eric Snow</font> v <font color="#006633">Marko Jaric</font> ? An interesting matchup between two point guards who are below the level of a vast amount of starters in the League. Jaric, who nearly signed for the Cavs this offseason, is outplaying Snow in nearly every stat category. However, defensive pressuring is not a stat, and I believe that Snow has the ability to prevent players from performing at their best and subsequently, I think Snow could just squeeze in front of Jaric. <div align="center"><u><font size="3"><font color="#003366">OTHER NOTES</font></font></u></div> <ul> [*]The Cavs will be unveiling their new navy blue jersey in this matchup. [*]The Cavs are coming off a one day break, after having their eight game winning streak ended by the Pacers. [*]The Timberwolves are playing their second straight game. [*]LeBron averaged 26-6.5-10 against the Wolves last season. [*]Kevin Garnett averaged 23-15.5-6 against the Cavs last season. [/list] <div align="center"><u><font size="3"><font color="#003366">SCORE PREDICTION</font></font></u></div> <u> <font size="2"><font color="#006633">98</font> - <font color="#003366">105</font></font></u> **<font size=""1"">Cavs are in blue due to new uni</font>**
Cavs struggle against teams with dominate PFs, namely Duncan and Garnett. Good win for Wolves, first road win for the Wolves, and if I am no mistaken, first home loss for the Cavs.
