This game sees the 3-4 Minnesota Timberwolves take on the 6-2 Cleveland Cavaliers at The Quicken Loans Arena. Both teams are coming off similar wins against the Portland Trailblazers. However, the Cavaliers will be worried as they saw Larry Hughes leave the court with an injury to his ankle in the game. <div align="center"><font color="#0D588D"> <u>Minnesota Timberwolves</u> C Mark Blount PF Kevin Garnett SF Trenton Hassell SG Ricky Davis PG Mike James</font> @ <font color="#B94056">C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF Drew Gooden SF LeBron James SG Damon Jones PG Eric Snow <u>Cleveland Cavaliers</u> </font></div> <u>Key Matcup</u> – PF – Kevin Garnett v Drew Gooden v The Big Ticket, Kevin Garnett, will meet Drew Gooden, whose consistency and production have dramatically increased since coming to Cleveland, especially in the first 8 games of this season. There is no doubt that Garnett is the better of the two players, as he has the total package. He can shoot from three point range, he can rebound, he can post up, he can play defense and he can pass. Whilst Gooden is evolving into a very good player, he is not at the same level as Garnett, thus it will be massively important for him to try to contain Garnett, who is capable of winning a game virtually on his own. [div=50%] <font color="#B94056"><u>Cavaliers’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Contain Kevin Garnett. He is a player who could take over a game single-handedly, thus it is essential to stop him from being able to do so. [*]Get scorers going. The Cavs have many players, such as LeBron James, Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall, who can take over a game if given the opportunity. If any of these players get many successive opportunities, or a left wide open, it will be necessary to give them the ball for an easy bucket. [*]Crash the boards. As the best rebounding team in the League, it is a necessity to prove it night in and night out, in order to gain second chance opportunities and stop the other team from getting any of their own. [/list] </font> [/div] <font color="#0D588D"><u>Timberwolves’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Get the ball in to Garnett, to score early. If Garnett can post up, he is likely to score against the Cavaliers, with Ilgauskas playing poorly. Whilst everything possible will be done to stop this happening, it could still occur, in which case the Timberwolves must take full advantage. [*]Contain LeBron James. If this means putting Garnett on him, to stop him coming inside and to make jumpshots difficult, then it must be done. Ideally, however, this will not happen, but containing LeBron James must come atop the list of priorities. [*]Disrupt the Cavaliers rhythm. The Cavaliers are a very rhythmic team; they tend to make points in a run yet then score few for the next few minutes. If their rhythm can be disrupted whilst in full flow, their points tally could be reduced. [/list] </font> <u>Prediction</u> In 6 contests since LeBron’s induction to the League, the Timberwolves have won 4 times, with a combined score of 571-552 in their own favor. LeBron himself averages 25.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists against the Timberwolves. Despite the Timberwolves being a solid team, I believe that the Cavs have just too much quality. <font color="#0D588D">89</font>- <font color="#B94056">98</font>
I like the matchup what you choosed (which is the only logical MATCHUP in this game...). We're playing without Hughes again and the game problably goes in the hands of LeBron. He needs to put up his best again. The only way how T'Wolves can win imo, is if KG will make a great game and if Tricky Ricky gives him a good support. Without his support I don't think that KG can carry this game to their victory without Ricky's "A" game. 99-79 (Cavs's win).
