Wolves At Spurs Previews

[duncan228]

Minnesota (4-22) at San Antonio (17-10) Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2008122324&prov=ap)
Game info: 8:30 pm EST Tue Dec 23, 2008
TV Schedule: Away: FSN-North Home: FSN-Southwest
By Jon Palmieri

The Minnesota Timberwolves are approaching the longest losing streak in franchise history. A matchup with the San Antonio Spurs only figures to move them closer.

The Timberwolves look to avoid a 13th straight loss on Tuesday night when they face the Spurs in San Antonio, where they haven’t won in nearly five years.

This figured to be a difficult season for Minnesota (4-22), but losses in 22 of its first 26 games seemed very unlikely. The Timberwolves, though, have dropped 12 in a row since beating Oklahoma City 105-103 on Nov. 28, with seven of those losses coming under Kevin McHale, who replaced Randy Wittman as coach on Dec. 8.

Minnesota lost a franchise-record 16 straight in 1992, and had another 16-game skid in 1994 that spanned two seasons.

While the losing continued on Saturday, the Wolves did put forth a strong performance in a 109-102 defeat to Houston.

Al Jefferson dominated Yao Ming in the post on his way to a season-high 34 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Even another 24 points from Randy Foye wasn’t enough as the Rockets made 12 3-pointers and shot 52.7 percent (39-for-74) from the field.

“Keep your head up, keep fighting,” Jefferson said. “That’s all you’ve got to do.”

Jefferson has been a bright spot during the losing streak, averaging 22.0 points and 10.5 rebounds.

“You can’t ask anymore from Al, Al played tremendous out there and Foye got it going in the fourth quarter,” McHale said. “I thought there were some positives.”

Making matters worse for Minnesota was a sprained right ankle suffered by starting guard Mike Miller. The team’s third-leading scorer (10.7) and best 3-point threat, Miller is listed as day-to-day, but he missed four games earlier this month after spraining the same ankle.

With Miller on the sidelines, Rashad McCants played a season-high 39 minutes at shooting guard against Houston and scored 16 points - all in the first half.

The upcoming schedule probably won’t do the Wolves any favors as they visit San Antonio and New York on Tuesday and Friday before hosting Southeast Division-leading Orlando on Saturday.

Minnesota is 0-2 this season against the Spurs and has dropped seven straight in the series. The Wolves have lost 12 of the past 13 overall meetings and eight in a row in San Antonio since a 100-93 victory on Jan. 14, 2004.

Tony Parker overcame a sloppy start to score 18 points as the Spurs (17-10) won their second straight, 101-85 over Sacramento on Monday.

“I did nothing to earn my money,” Spurs coach Greg Popovich said. “They (the players) coached. They communicated. They changed defenses, called plays. I just substituted players.”

Roger Mason scored 11 points in 18 minutes and Tim Duncan was held to a season-low 10 points as San Antonio won for the eighth time in 10 games.

The Spurs have won five straight at home and are 10-2 at the AT&T Center since losing their first three games there.

Parker scored a career-high 55 points in the Spurs’ 129-125 double-overtime win at Minnesota on Nov. 5, then had 17 in a 98-86 victory there on Dec. 12.

Notes

Wolves:

Minnesota has lost its last five games against Houston. ... After scoring 16 points in the first half, G Rashad McCants did not score in the second, going 0-of-5 from the field. ... Coming into the Houston game, F Craig Smith had averaged 14.5 ppoints on 69 percent shooting since entering the starting lineup on December 9. He was right on target in this one, going 5-of-8 (63 percent) with 14 points. ... F Al Jefferson has recorded 14 double-doubles this season. ... Minnesota won the points in the paint battle, outscoring Houston, 52-32. ... Minnesota is 0-21 when shooting below 45 percent this season.

Spurs:

The Spurs announced on Monday that they have signed G-F Malik Hairston, who has spent the season with the Austin Toros, the Spurs' D-League affiliate. ... The Spurs are now 2-0 against the Kings this season, with one more game in Sacramento in April. ... The Spurs bench has outscored the opponents' reserves in 19 of 27 games this season. ... Rookie G George Hill chipped in 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting off the bench.

Injuries

Minnesota

C. Brewer Knee
M. Miller Ankle

San Antonio

I. Mahinmi Ankle
F. Oberto Foot

Team Stat Leaders

Points

Al Jefferson Min 22.2
Tim Duncan SA 20.7

Rebounds

Al Jefferson Min 10.3
Tim Duncan SA 10.6

Assists

Randy Foye Min 5.3
Tony Parker SA 6.5

Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10

Minnesota 4-22 4th Northwest / 14th West 94.5 102.2 Road 2-11 Lost 12 0-10

San Antonio 17-10 3rd Southwest / 5th West 96.7 93.4 Home 10-5 Won 2 8-2

[duncan228]

Tuesday: Timberwolves (4-22) at Spurs (17-10) (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Tuesday_Timberwolves_4-22_at_Spurs_17-10.html)
Express-News

Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: FSNSW
Radio: WOAI-AM 1200, KCOR-AM 1350

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - TIMBERWOLVES

PG - 9 Tony Parker (6-2, 8th yr) - 4 Randy Foye (6-4, 3rd yr)
New Wolves slayer: Parker averaging 36 points vs. Minnesota.

SG - 8 Roger Mason Jr. (6-5, 5th yr) - 1 Rashad McCants (6-4, 4th yr)
McCants better on road than at home, for some reason.

SF - 4 Michael Finley (6-7, 14th yr) - 8 Ryan Gomes (6-7, 4th yr)
Finley’s average up slightly since flipping from guard to forward spot.

PF - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 5 Craig Smith (6-7, 3rd yr)
It’s likely to be Duncan vs. Jefferson in crunch time.

C - 15 Matt Bonner (6-10, 5th yr) - 25 Al Jefferson (6-10, 5th yr)
Jefferson coming off season-high 34 points Saturday at Houston.

SPURS RESERVES

12 Bruce Bowen, F, 6-7, 13th yr
20 Manu Ginobili, G, 6-6, 7th yr
3 George Hill, G, 6-2, 1st yr
40 Kurt Thomas, C/F, 6-9, 14th yr
35 Anthony Tolliver, C, 6-8, 1st yr
5 Ime Udoka, G/F, 6-5, 5th yr
11 Jacque Vaughn, G, 6-1, 12th yr

TIMBERWOLVES RESERVES

14 Brian Cardinal, F, 6-8, 9th yr
10 Rodney Carney, F, 6-7, 3rd yr
34 Jason Collins, C, 7-0, 8th yr
42 Kevin Love, F, 6-10, 1st yr
33 Mike Miller, G, 6-8, 9th yr
12 Kevin Ollie, G, 6-2, 12th yr
3 Sebastian Telfair, G, 6-0, 5th yr

COACHES

Spurs: Gregg Popovich
Timberwolves: Kevin McHale

INJURIES

Spurs: Fabricio Oberto (sore left foot) is doubtful. Ian Mahinmi (sprained left ankle) is out.

Timberwolves: Corey Brewer (torn right knee ligament) is out.

PROJECTED INACTIVE PLAYERS

Spurs: Oberto, Mahinmi, Malik Hairston.

Timberwolves: Brewer, Mark Madsen, Calvin Booth.

NOTABLE

Minnesota has lost 12 in a row, including seven straight since Kevin McHale took over for the fired Randy Wittman. ..... Spurs have won eight in a row against Timberwolves at home, with the last loss coming on Jan. 14, 2004. ..... Timberwolves should at least be well-rested, having not played since Saturday at Houston. Spurs are playing their fifth game in seven nights.

- Jeff McDonald

[mrspurs]

Another easy win imo. Even if its back to back.

[Blake]

It'll be a typical Spurs game on the 2nd of a B2B:

Spurs up by 20 at halftime, let Wolves get back into game in 4th quarter but squeak out a 2 point win

[ilovethaspurs09]

should be an easy win esp since mike miller will be out and im loving this match up:
21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 5 Craig Smith (6-7, 3rd yr)
PASS IT TO TIMMY!!

[shelshor]

Referee Assignments
Tue. Dec. 23
Minnesota @ San Antonio: S. Corbin, B. Adams, :vomit:J. Nies

[duncan228]

Struggling Wolves visit Spurs (http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/news/news.aspx?id=4199189)

(Sports Network) - The hapless Minnesota Timberwolves hope to snap an ugly 12- game losing streak Tuesday when they arrive in the Alamo City to take on the San Antonio Spurs.

The Wolves fell to 0-7 since Kevin McHale stepped down from the front office to take over the team's coaching duties when Houston's Tracy McGrady scored 23 points to pace the Rockets in a 109-102 win over Minnesota at Target Center on Saturday.

Al Jefferson had 34 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Wolves, who haven't won since November 28 at Oklahoma City. Randy Foye added 24 points in defeat.

Minnesota lost a franchise-record 16 straight games in 1992, and later matched that skid in 1994.

On the injury front for the T-Wolves, sharp-shooter Mike Miller is questionable for tonight's contest with a sprained right ankle.

The Spurs, meanwhile, improved to 2-0 on a three-game homestand Monday when Tony Parker led a balanced San Antonio attack with 18 points and six assists as the Spurs routed the Sacramento Kings, 101-85.

Roger Mason added 11 points, while Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and rookie George Hill each contributed 10 points for San Antonio, which shot 52.1 percent from the floor to win its fifth straight game at home and improve to 10-5 at the AT&T Center.

The Wolves, who are a woeful 2-11 as the visitor this season, have already dropped two games to the Spurs this year. Minnesota has also lost seven straight overall and 12 of their last 13 meetings with San Antonio.

[duncan228]

Timberwolves try to snap skid against mighty Spurs (http://www.sbrforum.com/Previews/NBA/20081223NBA--SANANTONIO0.aspx)
Minnesota (4-22) at San Antonio (16-10), 8:30pm EST

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves just can't seem to catch a break. Already losers of 12 straight games, they have to meet a team that has made their life miserable over the last few years.

The reeling T-Wolves hit the road to take on the surging San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. The Spurs have won 12 of the last 13 meetings between the teams - including two wins this campaign.

The two losses certainly weren't for a lack of trying on Minnesota's part. The T-Wolves hung close with the Spurs on both occasions but ultimately fell short. In a November 5 meeting in Minneapolis, Tony Parker poured in a career-high 55 points to lead San Antonio to a 129-125, double-overtime victory.

Nearly two weeks ago, the clubs met again, but the T-Wolves wasted a 29-point, 13-rebound effort from rising star Al Jefferson in a 98-86 loss.

The Spurs have recovered from back-to-back losses last week with consecutive wins over Toronto and Sacramento. Monday's 101-85 rout of the Kings was characterized by all that the league has come to expect from the Spurs over the last decade or so - stifling defense, balanced scoring and an imposing physicality.

With Parker and Manu Ginobili close to full health after being sidelined with ankle injuries earlier this season, San Antonio is beginning to look a lot like its old self.

[duncan228]

Wolves gameday (http://www.startribune.com/sports/36603224.html)
Brian Stensaas

Preview: The Timberwolves already have seen San Antonio twice this season at home and now have to deal with the Spurs in their building. That's no easy task, especially with the lineup San Antonio puts out on the court. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are the big three. But add role players Matt Bonner, George Hill and Roger Mason into the mix, and it is quite the formidable lineup. Heading into Monday's game against Sacramento, the Spurs had won seven of 10 games in December.

Players to watch: Parker has been a Timberwolves killer in the two previous games. He scored 55 points Nov. 5 and followed it up with a 16-point fourth-quarter performance five weeks later. "He's a tremendous player," Wolves coach Kevin McHale said. "I don't know if there's many guys who can guard him one-on-one in our league. He gets to the hole and does a lot of good stuff." Likely drawing Parker on defense will be Minnesota guard Kevin Ollie, who has seen his minutes increase since McHale took over as coach Dec. 8. "You have to play solid against them, keep them out of transition," the 11-year veteran said. "I want to win no matter what -- I'll play 2 minutes, I'll play 48 minutes."

Numbers: In the seven games since McHale took over as coach, Minnesota guard Sebastian Telfair has played just 54 minutes. He has not made it off the bench in the past two games. "You reward the guys who are playing well," McHale said of playing Ollie substantially more than Telfair. "Sebastian will have his chance. I'm sure Sebastian's practiced well, and that's what you have to do."

Injuries: Timberwolves shooting guard Mike Miller is officially day-to-day after spraining his right ankle Saturday against Houston. He sprained the same ankle Dec. 3. "I was just starting to feel pretty good," Miller said. "It's pretty similar [injury]. I caught it pretty good. Hopefully it will just be a game or two and I'll be ready to go." Forward Corey Brewer is out for the season because of a torn ACL. For San Antonio, center Fabricio Oberto (foot) is out.

[duncan228]

Spurs Team Report (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AsZwOZGkrGkupEzUCHLVHnGM0bYF?slug=teamre ports-2008-nba-sas&prov=sportsxchange&type=team_report)

Getting Inside

The Spurs have rebounded from a two-game skid with two victories and have another tuneup before heading to the desert for a Christmas Day showdown against playoff rival Phoenix. The Spurs won their fifth straight at home Monday by easily handling the Kings.

“I couldn’t wait to come back home and defend our court for a nice Christmas,” Tony Parker said.

The Spurs are 17-10 and within striking distance of second place in the Western Conference. The current two-game winning streak followed losses against New Orleans and Orlando last week.

Before that, the Spurs won six straight with Parker and Manu Ginobili back in the lineup. The Spurs welcome Minnesota to town Tuesday before heading to Phoenix.

The winning formula has always started with defense and the team ranks near the top of the key defensive categories. But the Spurs also have been clicking on the offensive end, especially from beyond the arc during their recent surge.

“Things are always easier when you make shots,” coach Gregg Popovich said.

Spurs 101, Kings 85: Tony Parker rebounded from a slow start to score 18 points as the Spurs won their fifth straight at home with an easy win over reeling Sacramento.

Parker committed five turnovers in the first 10 minutes, but turned it over just one more time and finished with six assists. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and rookie George Hill each scored 10. The Spurs were up 21 in the fourth and rested their starters down the stretch.

Sacramento (7-22) shot only 40 percent and dropped to 2-13 on the road. The Kings have dropped four straight and are 3-17 since opening the season 4-5.

Notes, Quotes

• The Spurs have been one of the league’s best 3-point shooting teams in recent years. But too much of a good thing can become a crutch.

They recently tied a franchise record with 23 3-point tries in the first half against Toronto. The Spurs did make nine, but the number of attempts didn’t sit well with all parties.

“We shot too many in the first half,” Manu Ginobili said. “We shot 23 and that’s way too much.”

The Spurs hoisted up another 15 after halftime and made seven to tie the franchise record of 16 3-pointers made in a game.

• By the time the Spurs finish with Minnesota on Tuesday night, they will have played five games in seven days. The Timberwolves complete the second half of a back-to-back.

Still, coach Gregg Popovich isn’t one to complain about scheduling.

“At the end of the season, you don’t get handicap points for how much you were tired or what your schedule is like,” he said. “We don’t dwell on that. Everybody has periods where they feel like they’re getting screwed on the schedule. You’ve just got to let that go.”

Quote To Note: “We don’t want to get too caught up in living and dying by the 3-point shot. But when Tim (Duncan) is getting double-teamed and (Tony Parker is) coming off those screens and Manu (Ginobili) is going to the basket, guys are going to have to hit open shots.”—Guard Roger Mason.

Roster Report

Rotation:

Starters—Point guard Tony Parker, Shooting guard Roger Mason, Small forward Michael Finley, Power forward Tim Duncan, Center Matt Bonner.

Bench—Forward Kurt Thomas, Guard Manu Ginobili, Forward Ime Udoka, Forward Bruce Bowen, Center Anthony Tolliver, Guard Jacque Vaughn, Guard George Hill.

Player Notes:

• G/F Malik Hairston was signed off the Spurs’ D-League affiliate in Austin. The 6-6, 215-pounder has spent the season with the Toros, averaging 19.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 11 games. The Oregon product spent training camp with San Antonio, averaging 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in six preseason games. Hairston was selected by Phoenix with the 48th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He was acquired by San Antonio in exchange for the draft rights to Goran Dragic.

• C Matt Bonner recently had a 3-of-15 shooting game at New Orleans. He also played 34 minutes that night, tying a season high. So whether the shot is going or not, coach Gregg Popovich is committed to using Bonner and is comfortable having him on the floor in crunch time.

“Anytime you’re out there coming down the stretch, it shows coach has confidence in your ability to execute the game plan,” Bonner said. “It definitely is a different game coming down the stretch. Execution becomes the most important thing.”

• C Ian Mahinmi likely won’t be suiting up for the Spurs in the immediate future. He sprained his right ankle before training camp and hasn’t played this season. Mahinmi was assigned to the D-League team to rehab, but turned his left ankle after one game. Gregg Popovich doesn’t sound like a coach who’s counting on Mahinmi.

“I don’t even know which one is which,” Popovich said of Mahinmi’s injured ankles. “All I know is that he’s had an ankle problem for four months. I don’t think about Ian too much as far as playing goes right now.”

Medical Watch:

• C Fabricio Oberto (foot injury) is expected to be out until late December.

• C Ian Mahinmi (sprained ankle) is inactive.

[Sigz]

Can't wait to see Mahinmi dominate the bench.

[duncan228]

Nice interview with a Wolves blogger.

At Center Court with Nate from Canis Hoopus (http://48minutesofhell.blogspot.com/2008/12/at-center-court-with-nate-from-canis.html)

[duncan228]

Miller out, Ollie in for Wolves (http://blogs.twincities.com/timberwolves/2008/12/miller_out_ollie_in_for_wolves.html)

Shooting guard Mike Miller, who sprained his right ankle for the second time this month in Saturday night’s 109-102 loss to Houston, did not accompany the Timberwolves to San Antonio for tonight’s game against the Spurs.

Coach Kevin McHale said after the morning shootaround that Kevin Ollie will start at point guard, with Randy Foye moving to Miller’s two spot.

“Kevin’s got that veteran tenacity that he stays with it,” McHale said. “Even when things don’t go his way, he stays with it. That’s the one thing we’ve got to make sure he can impart to the rest of these guys.”

Miller is expected to miss Friday’s game at New York as well, but McHale said he remains day-to-day.

Miller missed four games with his first injury and McHale was asked if the fact that it’s the same ankle makes this sprain more serious.

“Who knows?” he said. “I was a communication major at the University of Minnesota. I missed medical school by just a fraction.”

[duncan228]

Rested Spurs await Wolves (http://blogs.twincities.com/timberwolves/2008/12/rested_spurs_await_wolves.html)

Tonight’s game against the Wolves is the fifth in seven days for the San Antonio Spurs, but fatigue shouldn’t be an issue.

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker got the fourth quarter off in Monday night’s 101-85 win over Sacramento, along with forward Michael Finley and guard Roger Mason, Jr.

That game, incidentally, dropped the Kings to 1-4 under interim coach Kenny Natt, who got the one win in his coaching debut against the Wolves.