Be sure to come back at the half for The Halftime Report as well as after the game for thought/analysis. Coach Bob Ociepka will also be calling for the final Checking In With Coach Ociepka-Los Angeles tomorrow.
The Wolves complete their five game road trip tonight against the LA Clippers, still in search of their first win of the trip. Coming off two tough losses to Portland and Seattle, the Wolves definitely will need to work tonight as the Clippers are quite tough at home.
Although the storyline is becoming old, Sam Cassell will certainly have the Clippers ready to play tonight. Coming off an off night against the Supersonics, Kevin Garnett will also be focused and ready to fight. What amazes about Garnett is that on a rare off evening, he still nearly achieves a triple-double. The Clippers had better have a game plan for the Big Ticket.
After defeating the Pistons in Detroit to bring their record to 20-16, the Wolves have now lost six straight games, seen Kevin Garnett and Ricky Davis suspended, fired a coach and the bottom seems to be falling out. With both Phoenix and Dallas on the upcoming schedule, Minnesota is in need of a win tonight.
Arriving in LA late after a tough loss to Seattle, we should not expect to see too many changes in the Minnesota attack. However, new head coach Randy Wittman can certainly make some lineup changes that will help the Wolves achieve victory. Trenton Hassell, who nearly had a triple-double himself last night, was struggling on the defensive end. Yet, former Clipper Marko Jaric, played Ray Allen much better, but was subbed out in crunch time. This move was certainly a factor in the loss.
Craig Smith, coming of his career high in points, made an extremely strong case for being the first big off the bench for Minnesota. Mark Madsen, although strong defensively and always energetic, is needed at times, but should not be relied upon. Also, if Madsen is on the court, Kevin Garnett must be out there with him or, at the very least, Mark Blount. Madsen and Smith on the court together has been disaster for Minnesota.
The Wolves are excited to close out this long week and come home, but they could come home with a small bit of their confidence back to the Cities with them. A matchup with Phoenix awaits them at the Target Center and to have any chance in front of the home crowd, they will need to be a confident bunch. That being the case, Kevin Garnett and company have a lot of work to do…starting tonight in LA.
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