As I had mentioned in my previous thread, the only Game 5 in which I head a lean was in the Minnesota/Sacramento series. So my focus today is on that game.
From my view, Game 4 provided game play that was inconsistent with what I had seen in the previous games of the series. Chris Webber, who I had written about at length, had his playoff game of the year with 28 points making his first 6 shots and allowing the Kings to relax early as they built a 17 point lead over a Wolves team that was clearly lacking focus, for whatever reason, as they were shooting bricks on open looks and committed an incredible 24 turnovers, this from the second best team in the league at protecting the ball. Yet even with these performances, the Wolves wiped out the 17 point lead by the late third quarter and kept the game within two points until mid fourth quarter when they continued to turn the ball over and allowed the Kings enough separation such that they could no longer recover. Feeling here is that we will see a reversal of play tonight as interviews with the Wolves players have indicated that they know full well that they did not protect the ball in Game 4. Futhermore, can't expect Webber to perform at the same level on the road. Fully expect to see a highly motivated and intense Wolves team that takes care of the ball, is selective in their shots with better results at home in front of a frenzied crowd. Look for better performances from the big three, Garnett, Cassell, and Sprewell as well as the compimentary players. Hence,
1* Minnesota -5.5
Overall Unit Record YTD: (182-147.5)(+34.5) 5*(1-0)(+5.0) 3*(10-6)(+10.2) 1*(147-115-7)(+19.3)
Overall W/L Record YTD: (158-121-7) 56.63%
NBA Regular Season Final Record YTD: (17-12-2)(+5.8)
NBA Playoff Record YTD: (8-7-2)(+0.3)
Plays are rated 1*-5*
Good Luck All.
From my view, Game 4 provided game play that was inconsistent with what I had seen in the previous games of the series. Chris Webber, who I had written about at length, had his playoff game of the year with 28 points making his first 6 shots and allowing the Kings to relax early as they built a 17 point lead over a Wolves team that was clearly lacking focus, for whatever reason, as they were shooting bricks on open looks and committed an incredible 24 turnovers, this from the second best team in the league at protecting the ball. Yet even with these performances, the Wolves wiped out the 17 point lead by the late third quarter and kept the game within two points until mid fourth quarter when they continued to turn the ball over and allowed the Kings enough separation such that they could no longer recover. Feeling here is that we will see a reversal of play tonight as interviews with the Wolves players have indicated that they know full well that they did not protect the ball in Game 4. Futhermore, can't expect Webber to perform at the same level on the road. Fully expect to see a highly motivated and intense Wolves team that takes care of the ball, is selective in their shots with better results at home in front of a frenzied crowd. Look for better performances from the big three, Garnett, Cassell, and Sprewell as well as the compimentary players. Hence,
1* Minnesota -5.5
Overall Unit Record YTD: (182-147.5)(+34.5) 5*(1-0)(+5.0) 3*(10-6)(+10.2) 1*(147-115-7)(+19.3)
Overall W/L Record YTD: (158-121-7) 56.63%
NBA Regular Season Final Record YTD: (17-12-2)(+5.8)
NBA Playoff Record YTD: (8-7-2)(+0.3)
Plays are rated 1*-5*
Good Luck All.
