Prediction: 11/15 - Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves (-2)
Last game: incorrect
Season (4-2)

Well the Nuggets game was definitely a step backward in the defensive improvement that this team seemed to be making last week. I did not watch the whole game, so I don't want to be a critic, but from the highlights I noticed Wally lost view of his man twice for backdoor alley-oops. Wally could have played perfect defense the rest of the night for all I know (yes, I know that is highly unlikely), but against the Denver Nuggets... how do you lose track of a guy in the baseline??? They run little backdoor baseline alley-oops ALL the time. A defender should never let his man get in between him and the baseline when playing the Nuggets because that is what they are looking for in their half court offense.

Rebounding was obviously terrible as well. I still can't decide if KG is injured, trying too hard to get his team involved, or just playing very passively. I'm now leaning towards the latter... there's no reason for him to have three sub-10 rebound games already. None. He needs to get in the paint on offense and defense and let the other team know that when the ball is up in the air, he WILL be coming down with it. Marcus Camby embarrased him. Like I said, I didn't watch the game so I don't know if KG was guarding Camby, but it shouldn't matter. Once the ball hits the rim and goes up in the air, the two-time defending NBA rebounding champ better be going for it, because Olowokandi is not going to get it done alone.

Rashad McCants was definitely a bright spot from last game. I've seen the replay of his (huge) dunk on Camby, which lead to his 2nd technical foul and an early exit, and I have no doubt in my mind that if it had been any other player, not only would a technical foul not have been called, but Camby would probably have been whistled for a personal foul and put the dunker on the line. Rashad has been getting some SERIOUS rookie treatment thus far. He hasn't given in, however, and continues to attack the basket. The Wolves haven't had a player like that since... a little help? JR Rider? Ever? I think/hope McCants' playing time continues to increase, because there is no denying that this guy can fill it up. Once his jump shot starts falling... look out.

Another note, Wally Worls finally shot the ball well. Hopefully the four 3's that he burried will help his confidence because he is going to be an integral part of this offense.

And now for tonight......

I expect Yao to have quite a game, probably somewhere in the 25 points - 15 rebounds area, if not better. I think TMac will be contained, but not stopped... let's say 24 points with good rebound/assist/steal numbers. One commonality which the Timberwolves is the tendency for a role player to really hurt us. This was more relevant in past years, but against Denver this was seen in Demarr Johnson. I think it may happen again tonight, with one of Jon Barry, Ryan Bowen, David Wesley, or Juwan Howard having an above average night.

I think Kevin Garnett will have another good, not great... impressive, not dominatng... eye catching, not eye opening game. I'll ballpark it at 23 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists. I'm hoping Wally will step up with another 20 point performance and am hoping Marko can get worked back into the offense. It's a scary though, but I have a feeling that this game will be decided by the Wolves bench, specifically Troy Hudson and Anthony Carter. When they are both on, this offense still functions sans KG. But when they are off, it is downright frightful. Because it's at home, and because they're coming off their worst loss of this young season, I think the Wolves will play with much more focus and determination than last game.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (-2) over Houston Rockets... 87-81