[KokoTheMonkey]

November 16th, 2004 - 7:30 PM (Central Time)


Miami Heat(5-2) @ Minnesota Timberwolves(3-2)



Last game: Miami - Win, 112-110
Last game: Minnesota - Win, 96-91


Projected Starting Lineups:











Reserves:










Minnesota plays another team with a very good player in question, and Minnesota faces another great center back-to-back. Wade's health is very important for this game as well, because I don't see Miami beating Minnesota without Wade. Miami is going to pound the ball inside, of course, but they are counting on Eddie Jones to step up his scoring to give Miami a shot at winning this game. Minnesota needs to prevent Shaq from going insane on them, because he can carry this team to victory if he scores 30-40 points. Minnesota needs to limit TO's, and needs to get contributions from Sprewell or Cassell.



Prediction:



Minnesota 95, Miami 91

[Lynx]

Definitely Wolves for win. KG with double-double(or triple-double almost).

Even if Wade plays, it remains to be seen how he responds coming out injury. Last year, he did very well but this time he'll be guarded by Hassell(a good and underrated defensive player in the league).

[MiamiHeat03]

Well Wade isnt playing so Minny should take this win.
Prediction:
Minnesota:99
Miami:87

[sheefo13]

Shaq is still haunting kandi and erv, but he is their only real scoring threat and they dont have much of any depth.

minnesota: 97
heat: 82

big game for damon jones and shaq

big games for kg, spree and wally.

[socco]

88-84 Wolves

[KokoTheMonkey]

Wade expected to play tonight.


Who knows how effective he will be, but it gives Miami a better shot at winning the game. I'll stick with my original prediction though.

[MiamiHeat03]

yeah i just heard it that Wade will apparantly play.
I hope he is not rushing it because we will need him in 2 games.

[sheefo13]

well now instead of damon it will have to be wade who has a big game. the only reason i say that is because cassell cant defend.

g near a triple double before the end of the second quarter. 16 pts, 12 boards, and 5 assists. 3 minutes left and wolves up by ten

[MiamiHeat03]

Hassell was guarding Wade pretty well and still could get his shot up.
Wade already 20pts on 8-8 shooting.

But besides Wade no1 on the Heat is playing well.

[sheefo13]

I was expecting a lot more form shaq and a lot less from kandi, it doesn show in the boxsore but he is doing a good job on shaq

[socco]

sheef, have you jumped off the "Trade Cassell for Matt Bonner" Bandwagon yet?

[KokoTheMonkey]

Just when I thought Garnett couldn't improve his stats anymore, he averages 25-17-7 through 6 games. 17 rebounds....per game. He's a freakin monster.



As long as Minnesota gets production from their other players (Besides KG), they will be one of the best teams in the league all season long. Cassell still doesn't seem to be playing as well as he did last season, but the T'Wolves have had guys like Wally, Hassell, and Hudson chipping in to the offense. Nice win vs. Miami. Now they have a tough one against Detroit.

[socco]

Finally the Wolves come out and play decent, it took them long enough. Hopefully it will continue. It looks like we may be rounding into form.