Game Thread: Spurs @ Timberwolves TV: FSN - Timberwolves KENS - Spurs Telemundo San Antonio Spurs(36-19) @ Minnesota Timberwolves(40-15) Series: Timberwolves lead 1-0 Last Meeting: Timberwolves 100 @ Spurs 93 Previous Game Timberwolves 88 @ Pistons 87 Spurs 87 @ Cavaliers 89 Streaks Timberwolves: Won 5 (8-2 in last ten) Spurs: Lost 1 (7-3 in last ten) Head Coaches vs. Probable Starters PG: vs. Parker vs. Cassell SG: vs. Turkoglu vs. Sprewell SF: vs. Bowen vs. Hassell PF: vs. Duncan vs. Garnett C: vs. Nesterovic vs. Olowokandi 6th Men vs. Ginobili vs. Hudson Players to Watch vs. Duncan: 23.1 Points (.495 FG %), 3.2 Assists, 13 Rebounds Garnett: 24.8 Points (.494 FG %), 4.9 Assists, 14.1 Rebounds Injury Lists San Antonio Spurs Alex Garcia Minnesota Timberwolves Ndudi Ebi Keys to the Game <u>San Antonio:</u> <ul> [*]Stop Garnett (Duncan won't have an easy job tonight) [*]Stop the outside attack (The Wolves are an excellent perimeter team. They have threats in Cassell, Sprewell, Szczerbiak, Hoiberg, Hudson, and Garnett) [*]Don't let the new comers get hot (Stopping Wally, Troy, and Olowokandi is a must) [*]Get Duncan involved early (Get Duncan hot early in the game will set the tone for the Spurs) [*]Limit second chance points (With Olowokandi back, Garnett being his usual self, and Madsen grabbing some nice rebounds off the bench, the Spurs need to box out at all times)[/list] <u>Minnesota Timberwolves:</u> <ul> [*]Stop Duncan (Make it difficult for him to score. Double team him if needed.) [*]Make open jumpers (If they run the zone, this will be a must) [*]Make Rasho shoot from outside (As all Timberwolves fans know, Rasho isn't the greatest perimeter shooter) [*]Rebound (Getting rebounds is always good) [*]Let Sam do his thing (He will want revenge for missing those key free throws last night, so the Spurs better be ready) [/list] twolvefan11's Prediction Timberwolves are still fueled from the game last night. Should be a great game vs. our division rivals. Olowokandi should be getting more minutes tonight and Wally is getting in the groove. With everyone back and healthy, we are very hard to stop. So I don't see the Spurs stopping us in this game. Should be a close one all the way through. Timberwolves by 3.
Well, I think the Small Forward matchup will be the most exciting of them all, haha. As for the sixth men, I think Ginobili rather than Ward. Ward has struggled to find his shot, and Ginobili dropped 21 last night against the Cavs, and pulled his usual fourth quarter antics. The game is in Minnesota, and with a tough loss on the road last night, the Spurs will be trying to go 6-1 on their seven game road trip. Duncan versus Garnett is obviously the key here, and hopefully, Olowokandi will be showing his rust, come game time. If the Spurs can keep the Wolves from exceeding 85, they can win. Otherwise, I don't see them taking this game.
Another close game for the Wolves. This can go either way. But I think the Wolves will start to pull away in the 4th giving them a 4 point win. Wolves by 4.The spurs will keep it close though.
Oooooooooh, I don't know who I want to win. If the Wolves beat the Spurs, that means the Lakers move ahead of the Spurs. However, if the Spurs beat the Wolves, that means the Wolves lose some momentum......too hard to pick. But since the Wolves are on a roll and have the home court, they win by 3.
hopefully the spurs are mad about the game last night and completely destroy the wolves.... spurs by 4
I think the Wolves will take this one by 5. Its their home court, and I'm sure they're out to prove themselves every time they play a top team. I hope Hassell kicks Bowen in the face!
Good game Spurs get the win by 2 Seems Parker really took this game personal v Sam Cassell with 26 points. Tim Duncan proved why he is the MVP in that 4th quarter.
Wow, this is an important win. Minnesota-San Antonio, Garnett-Duncan, it?s the best rivalry in the league in my opinion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Tim Duncan proved why he is the MVP in that 4th quarter.</div>So you're saying after this game, KG doesn't deserve it? :thumbsdow
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Big Zee:</div><div class="quote_post">So you're saying after this game, KG doesn't deserve it? :thumbsdow</div> Did I even mention Garnett's name? If you havn't forgotten Tim Duncan is the two time defending league MVP. You should of understood what my statement meant.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post"> Seems Parker really took this game personal v Sam Cassell with 26 points. </div> It must have not been that personal or tony Parker would have step up & played Sam on both ends of the court. Its real easy for tony Parker to have the better game, when every time Sam got hot in quarters 1-3, the Spurs would throw Bruce Bowen on him. And in the 4th Bowen guarded Sam for most of the quarter. I know it is coach Pops choice but dont act like the match was one on one both ends of the court. When Sam is going against one of the best perimeter defenders in the game of basketball. Taking a battle personal means that you are willing to give & take on both ends of the court imo. Oh, & Sam still dropped 24pts while shooting 10-14 from the field. That statement you made is misleading to peaple who didnt see the game imo.
You are getting upset just because I said Parker clearly took the game personal? Parker got simpley owned in San Antonio when the two teams met last time. He was out to prove a point that he can run a team and make big shots. Which he did, Spurs were smart by putting Bowen on Sam, clearly Pop knew he would try to take over the game but as always Bowen tried to stay with the guy he is guarding like glue. He did a soild job late in the game. My comment had nothing to do with who outplayed who, It's all about Parker having the confidence to go at one of the better point guards in this league, which I thought he did successful tonight. He didn't back down from Sam, made key baskets when the Spurs needed them I know Sam Cassell is your favourite player but GOD DAMN
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">You are getting upset just because I said Parker clearly took the game personal? Parker got simpley owned in San Antonio when the two teams met last time. He was out to prove a point that he can run a team and make big shots. Which he did, Spurs were smart by putting Bowen on Sam, clearly Pop knew he would try to take over the game but as always Bowen tried to stay with the guy he is guarding like glue. He did a soild job late in the game. My comment had nothing to do with who outplayed who, It's all about Parker having the confidence to go at one of the better point guards in this league, which I thought he did successful tonight. He didn't back down from Sam, made key baskets when the Spurs needed them I know Sam Cassell is your favourite player but GOD DAMN</div> When you make a statement like " Parker took the matchup v Cassell personal with 26pts" that leads people to believe that Parker out played Cassell on both ends of the court because you failed to mention that Sam had 24pts including a few big 4th quarter baskets. And the battle might have been personal for Parker but how could it have been all that personal for Sam, when Parker hardly check him on Defense. Parker proved that he can hit big shots over Sam I'll give you that but Alot of pg's have done that to Sam in hear career. But you know what Sam just usually comes down & hits a bigger shot the next trip down the floor. So to prove something Parker will have to make the big shot and stop Sam from making the big shot when they meet come playoff time. The Spurs got off the Hook tonight because Sree wasnt really doing anything, so they could move Bowen off Spree & put him on Sam. But come playoff time when Spree is cooking, that wont be able to happen. So what is Tony Parker going to then?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When you make a statement like " Parker took the matchup v Cassell personal with 26pts" that leads people to believe that Parker out played Cassell on both ends of the court because you failed to mention that Sam had 24pts including a few big 4th quarter baskets</div> It's called you taking comments the wrong way, Parker was due to have a great game after playing badly. Even the anouncers said he took this game personal after Cassell was lighting him up in San Antonio. He came ready to play and took control of the game early <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Spurs got off the Hook tonight because Sree wasnt really doing anything, so they could move Bowen off Spree & put him on Sam. But come playoff time when Spree is cooking, that wont be able to happen. So what is Tony Parker going to then?</div> Spurs got off the hook uh? interesting. Spurs dominated from start to finish, never really looked trouble til Wolves made their normal run. Spree is a streaky player, so him struggling is so surprise at all. Thats the way he plays, he can be unstoppable one night and not hit a thing the next. If these teams meet in the playoffs I expect the same kind of performances like tonight Whats Parker going to do in the playoffs? same as he did when he won the championship, hit shots and run the offense. If Bowen has to check Sprewell then Spurs can put Manu on Cassell if Parker struggles but he should be fine.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">It's called you taking comments the wrong way, Parker was due to have a great game after playing badly. Even the anouncers said he took this game personal after Cassell was lighting him up in San Antonio. He came ready to play and took control of the game early Spurs got off the hook uh? interesting. Spurs dominated from start to finish, never really looked trouble til Wolves made their normal run. Spree is a streaky player, so him struggling is so surprise at all. Thats the way he plays, he can be unstoppable one night and not hit a thing the next. If these teams meet in the playoffs I expect the same kind of performances like tonight Whats Parker going to do in the playoffs? same as he did when he won the championship, hit shots and run the offense. If Bowen has to check Sprewell then Spurs can put Manu on Cassell if Parker struggles but he should be fine.</div> I didnt mean that you got of the hook as far as wining the game. The Spurs game out extremely aggressive right off the bat. And hit big shots everytime the Y-wolves tried to make a run. My point was that in the playoffs you wont be able to use Bowen on Sam because Spree will make you pay. And Manu wont have the same type of Defensive impact on Sam like Brue Bowen Does. Bruce is an extremely psyhica Defender who uses his Hands and Body to prevent you from getting to your spots on the court. Well thats what Sam's total game is about getting to his spots. Bowen Prevents Sam from getting to those spots. Sam is extremely crafty, and Manu some times makes defensive mistakes. If you put him on Sam, Sam will use the head fake to keep him in foul trouble.
Whoever Spurs decide to put on Sam will be decided when that time comes If it does at all. Who knows what will happen in the playoffs. Spurs have always been known as a team who plays good team defense. Sprewell will have his hot nights but will always shoot the ball badly like he has seemed to lately. My guess is Bowen will guard Cassell in the 4th quarter of games and let Parker and guys like Ward to match-up with Cassell during the early part of games. You can't really stop Sam but just force him into tough shots, thats the best you can do with this guy. He is so tough to stop, those pick and rolls are killers for any teams.
