[KokoTheMonkey]

March 23rd, 2005 - 7:00 PM (Central Time)


New Orleans Hornets (15-51) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (34-34)




Previous Matchups:

Minnesota 99, New Orleans 92

Minnesota 99, New Orleans 94





Projected Starting Lineups:

Reserves:

New Orleans (15-51) at Minnesota (34-34) 8:00 pm EST

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves need to use their most recent victory as a springboard to a playoff push.

They have a good chance to raise their record above .500 and win a second straight game when they host the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.

The Timberwolves trail the Denver Nuggets by three games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and have struggled to string together wins of late.

Following a 1-2 road trip, Minnesota returned home and recorded a 94-86 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Kevin Garnett scored 30 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and dished out six assists in the win.

Garnett has carried the club in March, leading the Timberwolves in points, rebounds and assists in nine of 11 games this month.

The Hornets carry the Western Conference's worst road record at 4-29 into Wednesday's action after a 103-86 loss at Dallas on Monday.

Rookie J.R. Smith scored a season-high 27 points but the rest of the team shot 36 percent (18-of-50) and the club lost to the Mavericks for the 13th straight time.

Eddie Griffin scored 23 points and pulled down seven boards off the bench in Minnesota's 99-94 win over New Orleans on November 20. The Timberwolves have won the last four meetings.

http://www.nba.com/games/20050323/NOHMIN/preview.html




Must win for Minny.

 

[G-Force]

This is one of those must-win games if the T-Wolves wanna make the playoffs. Denver has gone nuts since George Karl showed up in Denver, and the T-Wolves are really the only team with a chance to beat the Nuggets out for the final playoff position. I figure the Lakers are going to be playing golf during the playoffs.

The T-Wolves cannot do much about the Nuggets, but they can at least win theri own games. This is one of those games that you just gotta win.

G-Force

 

[Turkish Delight]

Wolves came out strong in the 1st quarter and never looked back.
Playoffs?

 

[socco]

Playoffs?

Nope, but I'm praying for it.

 

[G-Force]

Another nice win. I'd still like KG to br putting up 20 shots per game though. Its hard to complain about his line tonight though. He just does everythong every night - points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks. Please build a consistent team around this guy!

Very nice night at the free throw line for the team - 27 for 29. Anyway, just gotta keep winning.

G-Force

 

[oblivion]

Well, we did what we had to do, which was win the game. Got out to a fast start, and held on long enough to win. Too bad we can't put anyone away, we always let people back in. But, i'll take it.

Now, lets hope Kobe goes off tonight and the Lakers beat those nuggs

 

[SilentOneX]

Wolves came out strong in the 1st quarter and never looked back.
Playoffs?

2 and half games out of Playoffs and trying to crawl back into it.

 

[sheefo13]

it isnt going to happen. Nuggets are playing too good for us right now. Lakers should turn it on soon too.

 

[Pejavlade]

TiberWolves 104
Hornets 89

Kg 34pts 18reb 7ast 4blks 3tls

 

[socco]

TiberWolves 104
Hornets 89

Kg 34pts 18reb 7ast 4blks 3tls

The game already happened my friend.

Timberwolves 107
Hornets 102

KG 24pts 13reb 5ast 2blks 2tls

 

[G-Force]

it isnt going to happen. Nuggets are playing too good for us right now. Lakers should turn it on soon too.

Karl really stirred up the Nuggets and is playing ten guys every night. They are playing out of their heads and would be difficult to catch. But you just never know, they could have a nasty little losing streak, too.

I think that the Lakers' playoff hopes are just a lingering mist right now, kinda like a smoke ring from a cigar. It looked cool for awhile, almost mesmerizing in its appeal, and then it was gone. Only the cigar butt and fragile ashes remain in the ashtray. The heavy putrid stench from now invisible cigar smoke is still strong in the room, a lingering reminder of broken dreams and bitter disappointment...