Thunder 94, Timberwolves 92...
Thunder-Timberwolves, Box...
Wolves' Love, Thunder's Collis...
Trail Blazers' Miller says Six...
NBA Roundup: Friday's action...
76ers searching for killer ins...
NBA roundup: Wednesday's actio...
Pacers-Magic Preview...
ROSTER REPORT 2010-01-20...
NOTES, QUOTES 2010-01-20...
Web viewing of NBA games may s...
Jerry Sloan 20th anniversary g...
OJ Mayo wins InsideHoops fan p...
Timberwolves hire Dean Cooper ...
Timberwolves re-sign Ryan Gome...
Steve
Brand has surgury
Brand, Maggette could opt out
Brand, Maggette could opt out
where are you mike?
James will transfer to the Roc
James will transfer to the Roc
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
 
 
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Add to Windows Live
News » Timberwolves-Kings Preview 2008-12-15


Timberwolves-Kings Preview 2008-12-15


Timberwolves-Kings Preview 2008-12-15
As bad as this season has been for the Minnesota Timberwolves, at least they're not in last place in their division.

The Sacramento Kings can't even make that claim.

In a matchup of two of the worst teams in the league, the Timberwolves look to avoid losing 10 straight games in a single season for the first time in more than 14 years when they visit the struggling Kings on Monday.

Minnesota (4-19) lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 98-86 on Sunday to drop its ninth consecutive game and fourth in a row since Kevin McHale took over as coach last Monday.

The Timberwolves shot just 36.1 percent from the floor against the Lakers, and their offense has been virtually nonexistent during their skid. Minnesota, which has not lost 10 straight since dropping the final 10 contests of the 1993-94 season, is averaging just 90.8 points on 41.2 percent shooting in its last nine games.

"The guys are going to go out there and fight and scrap. I know that," McHale said. "We've just got to go out there and play a style of ball that will fit this team and stick with it. I don't think that right now, we are able to do that."

The Timberwolves have a better record than just one team in the NBA - Oklahoma City, which is three games back of Minnesota in the Northwest Division.

Things haven't been much better for Sacramento (6-18), which is in last place in the Pacific Division.

After opening the season 4-5, the Kings have won just two of their last 15 games.

While wins have been scarce for the Timberwolves, they managed to defeat the Kings 98-96 in their season opener at the Target Center. Just over a week later on Nov. 7, Sacramento beat Minnesota 121-109 at home.

Al Jefferson, who had 20 points and 13 rebounds against the Lakers, has 35 points and 19 rebounds in two games against the Kings this season.

Sacramento is coming off an embarrassing 114-90 loss to New York on Saturday, as it trailed 43-21 after one quarter and was down by as many as 30 points. The Kings shot 36.7 percent from the field, including a dismal 3-of-23 from 3-point range.

"We know that we have to put this behind us," guard Francisco Garcia said. "Games like this are going to happen during the season and we will come back Monday and have a great attitude. We will have the home-court advantage and come back and do our thing."

Home-court advantage hasn't amounted to much for Sacramento, though, as its dropped nine of its last 10 games at Arco Arena. The Kings averaged 112.0 points in winning their first three in Sacramento, but are averaging 94.5 points in their last 10 there.

John Salmons led the Kings with 14 points on Saturday, and has scored 47 in two games versus Minnesota this season.

Kevin Martin, averaging a team-high 20.8 points, was healthy for both games against the Timberwolves, but has missed 14 of Sacramento's last 16 with a left ankle sprain. The Kings have gone 3-11 in his absence.


Author: Fox Sports
Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com
Added: December 15, 2008

 

 
Copyright © Timberwolveszone.com, Inc. All rights reserved 2012.