Wolves Face Pistons in Early Game

Due to the time of this game, I will not be able to provide the Halftime Report as I will be at work. I will, however, provide a recap of this game and analysis after watching the video. Please come back to Wolves Hoops Blog tomorrow night.

The Timberwolves head to Detroit to play the Pistons in an early game tomorrow due to Martin Luther King, Jr day. The Pistons, who are still one of the elites of the Eastern Conference, are beatable this season with a 10-6 record at home coming in.

Minnesota is coming off a win against the New Jersey Nets and have been on a decent roll in 2007, losing only one game in the new year. However, the Wolves are also dealing with a lot of off-court distractions at the moment, so hopefully they will be able to focus, grind it out and come away with a win in Detroit.

Forward Eddie Griffin has been suspended and along with that are reports that his career with the Wolves may be at its end. Reports also surfaced in the past few days that Marko Jaric has requested a trade, feeling that he is not being utilized in the best manner to have him contribute at his peak to this team. Although contrasting reports are out there, this still must be on the minds of the team.

The Wolves could really benefit themselves by coming a way with a tough win in the Motor City. They will return home after this game for two home games against the lowly Atlanta Hawks, (which should be a Wolves win), followed by the same Detroit Pistons invading the Target Center.

After these three games, Kevin Garnett and company will face the toughest test of the season to this point. They will hit the road for five straight games, including two sets of back to backs. Starting with a back to back against the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz, Minnesota will then travel to Portland, followed by another set of back to backs with the Seattle Supersonics and Los Angeles Clippers.

That tough stretch should give the team a good sense of where they stand in the strong Western Conference, so before they hit the road they need to rack up as many wins as possible. Although it will be a challenge to leave Detroit with a win, they are catching the Pistons at a good time.