Preview: Kings at Timberwolves

by Tom Ziller on Mar 31, 2010 2:00 PM PDT

SCOUTING REPORT

HighTops is out of service, so you're stuck with me.

Minnesota has not won in March. I repeat, Minnesota has not won in March. Thirteen up and thirteen down, including a laugher in Sacramento on March 14, a game in which Tyreke Evans went for 29/9/11 with just two turnovers, a game in which Jason Thompson ably replicated the injured Kevin Love with 15/8 in 22 minutes off the bench.

The Wolves are sitting on 16 straight losses, actually, going back into February. This team is truly abominable: 29th in the league on offense, 28th on defense. The Wolves can rebound, and they don't foul much. Other than that? They rank in the bottom 10 in every other of the four factors on offense and defense. A-bom-in-a-ble.

The Kings have lost in Minnesota this season, and let's face it: no road game will be easy for the Kings. The Pacers game looked to be in hand in the first half, but we watched Indiana -- Indiana! -- put the screw the Kings and finish rolling. We watched the Nets destroy the Kings. We watched Boston run out to a 24-point lead, and the Cavs win without trying. Credit the Kings for playing hard, but the wins just ain't coming on the road.

Minnesota is the best chance to change that before the season's end.

KEY BATTLE

Jason Thompson vs. Darko Milicic. Spencer Hawes is a scratch, so Carl Landry and Al Jefferson shall occupy each other while Thompson battles Milicic. The battle between these fellows will come on the boards, where Darko is brawny and Thompson active. I suspect we'll also see J.T. attempting to pull Darko away from the rim to open up driving lanes for Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih; I'm confident that will result in numerous long jumpers from our heroic forward-center. I think J.T. can have a solid game in this role, and look for Jon Brockman to get plenty of opportunity to pound Kevin Love.

BOLD PROCLAMATION

Jonny Flynn and Donte Greene will have several moments of jocular joking.

BOLD BROCKLAMATION

Evans loses his "rocks paper scissors" battle with Nessie for occupation of Joey Dorsey's vacant locker. Brockman fills the new space with bowling balls and apple fritters.

DETAILS

5PM PT tip. Two Game Threads (5, 6:15) and a post-gamer (7:45). Just a few more opportunities to watch Reke and friends this season. You know you'll miss Kings basketball a month from now, get it while you can!

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Comments

I'm calling this a must win

It won’t be good for team morale to have gone 0-5 on this last road trip, especially when there are 2 teams you are better than (New Jersey and Minnesota), and one team that is pretty even (Indiana). Also, the schedule from here on out is pretty grueling, so a win here would be nice.

Go Kings!

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 2:09 PM PDT reply actions

This

by VenomySnicket on Mar 31, 2010 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

"A must win"

For what?

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

If the Kings lose tonight

Chapu will have to acknowledge the fact that he is only mortal. Therefore it is a must win.

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

sarcasm?

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

If you don't know

That I have to re-think everything about you

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Mar 31, 2010 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions

everything?

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions

My thoughts exactly!

What happens if Kings don’t win?

To be the best, you have to do your best. Otherwise, you are only second-rate.

by Slam_Dunk on Mar 31, 2010 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions

If the Kings lose, Joey Dorsey is freaking GONE.

He’s a locker room cancer, and he’s selfish. He’s like a miniature Kevin Martin, but softer.

"Thou must give props" - Ice_9ine

by tomroadrunner on Mar 31, 2010 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Sidenote

But the add on the right side of the page about “the truth about acai berries” or whatever … holy crap that girl is hot.

Could some of you maybe use a condom once in a while?

by wallywagon11 on Mar 31, 2010 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

All I've got is an add for cbs13

I feel shortchanged.

by lead_pipe on Mar 31, 2010 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Winning would be nice.

To be the best, you have to do your best. Otherwise, you are only second-rate.

by Slam_Dunk on Mar 31, 2010 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

I predict a loss.

This team is worse than the Nets and, probably, T-Wolves.

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 2:34 PM PDT reply actions

How can a team with Chapu be anything less than the best in the league?

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions

mismanagement

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

How can a team that was wise enough to acquire Chapu

be accused of mismanagement? If anything, the 29 other teams with no Chapu should be accused of this.

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

It seems like they don't really want him at all.

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Your faith in Chapu is wavering my son

Speak not of such things but instead wonder at the marvel that is Chapu.

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Blasphemer! My faith never wavers!

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions

You LIE

Then why are the Marquette Golden Eagles listed as something you are a fan of? They have been Chapu-less for the entirety of their pathetic, Chapu-less existence!

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I enjoy the Venezuelan Sensation

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions

They're just playing possum until they can sign him to a max contract.

by russak on Mar 31, 2010 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Your reasoning is daft, not unlike Aykis16's.

"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"

by chapuforyou on Mar 31, 2010 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Sweet I just won a Reke bobblehead via Twitter.

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 4:11 PM PDT reply actions

Also

Starting lineup for tonight via Jason Jones: Evans, Udrih, Noc, Landry, JT.

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 4:13 PM PDT reply actions

Told you chapuforyou

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Mar 31, 2010 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions

win or lose, it's how they play the game

ESPN Accuscore has the Mins > Sacs by one point. Vegas agrees.

This season is all about playing in harmony, sharing good times, waiting for the lottery draft and RekeRoY. Winning, losing it matters little. Memories are short and seasons are long.

Bold Proclamation: Knowing that the Timberwolves play in the Twin Cities; Mr. Jon Brockman has two breakfasts, two lunches and doubles his order for each.
Paul Westphal will go from smiling to aghast to a far away look in his eyes before the day is out.

by betweentheeyes on Mar 31, 2010 4:45 PM PDT reply actions