BA-DA-DA, The Cavalry has arrived

A fresh start, steeper slope, up the same Mountain for a team yet to really leave base-camp with all it's climbers.   Feelings of excitement, hope paired with sighs of relief penetrated Wolves Fans as Coach Rick Adelman, and players Alexey Shved and Nikola Pekovic returned to practice Monday.  Adelman has been at the side of his wife, Mary Kay, who is suffering from seizures.  The team posted a 2-9 record in his absence.  Adelman spoke at practice Monday, and said all the right things. 

"We just have to find a way to finish games"

"It's a homestand, but it's a tough homestand"

"Nothing's going to be given to you, you have to go out and take it"

"It's not going to happen just because you get guys back"

Too see and hear Rick and some other check out- http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/video#

Defeats at Washington and Charlotte in consecutive nights leaves the team 17-24, ranked 12th in the loaded Western Conference.  The Wolves trail the rockets by five games for the 8th spot.  

The Wolves will have their next six of nine games at home.  As of today, the next six opponents have a combined record 154-116.  

Clippers Notes

Chris Paul will not play tonight, nursing a bruised right kneecap.  Eric Bledsoe will start at PG, has scored double-digits twenty-four times this season.

Blake Griffin has never scored less than 18 points when facing the Wolves.

Clippers bench is averaging 21.6mpg and scoring 41.6ppg, both rank first in the league.  Jamal Crawford has scored 20+ points in 17 games off the bench, highest of any player (J.R Smith is 2nd w/ 12)

Wolves defensively will attempt  limit Crawford, contain Blake and make DeAndre Jordan earn his points at the line.  

With Adelman back expect a much crisper offensive game, he has yet to play with all of his tools, but will demand execution all in the same.

Howl.

STRUT NEW HAIRCUTS

Stirred up with new chemistry, players, Wolves face struggling Wizards, Bobcats in consecutive nights on the East Coast.

The Wizards are 5-5 in previous ten, totaling nine victories this season, six have come at the Verizon Center.

John Wall has played in just seven games.  The electric play-maker is averaging 14p-6a-3r since his return from injury.  Tonight will be his first time in the starting line-up this season.

Former Wolf Martel Webster, projected to start, scored a season high 24 points aiding in the 98-95 Wizards victory over the Blazers at the Rose Garden (1/21).  Martel is averaging 10ppg.

Fellow projected Wizard starter, Bradley Beal, was awarded December Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.  Beal ranks third in Rookie Scoring at 13.6ppg shooting 39%FG.

Jordan Crawford, averaging 14.8ppg in 15.86mpg, is Washington's 6th Man.  Wolves smothering Crawford will limit an already struggling Wizards offense, who score only 90.9ppg.

Wolves Rookie, Alexey Shved (Ankle), did not travel with the team.  Pek also remains in Minnesota (Right Thigh Contusion).  Pek turned heads with his attire at Target Center Wednesday.

Photo Via @StevenTurous

J.J. Barea, 11p-8a in 23:52 minutes, closed the game at PG vs Brooklyn.  Terry Porter chose to leave Ricky Rubio on the bench, going with the hot-hand in Barea.

Ricky expressed emotional frustration post-game, but cool heads prevailed and Ricky has this to say Friday.
 "The next day I realized that maybe I didn't deserve it because J.J. was hitting good shots. He was able to get hot at some point and get a lot of points."

 "He wants to win. I want to win. Everybody wants to play at the end and try to help the team. Especially now, we're losing games, so everybody's a little frustrated and a little tired of losing. Things like that are going to happen."- J.J. Barea, Friday.

Rubio starts tonight alongside- Ridnour, Kirilenko, D. Williams, and Greg Steimsma.  This is the third consecutive game this five has started.  The Wolves have used twelve different starting line-ups this season.

Veterans Nene and Emeka Okafor are also projected Starters for Washington.
.
Derrick Williams, defensively  likely to be assigned Nene, has averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 rebounds over the last ten games.  Derrick still playing extended minutes in part to Love, Pek injuries, continues to search for an NBA identity on both sides of the floor.

Wolves Fans hope to see team return to Target Center with added victories over struggling two opponents.  Minnesota will host; Clippers, Lakers, Hornets (Pelicans), Blazers, Spurs, and the Knicks over the course of ten days.  Wolves are 1-6 this season in meetings against these foes.  Team then travels to Memphis, Cleveland prior to returning home for meeting with Jazz in club's last game before All Star Weekend.


Howl.

@xZaCh

Habitat in Danger

Monday - Hawks defeat Wolves- 104-96 

Leading 14 at the half, Wolves fail to defend Hawks Shooting, Al Horford.

Shooting

1st Half- 58-44 

Hawks- 45%FG(18/40), 42.9%3PT(3/7) 

Wolves- 55%FF (22/40), 42.9%3PT(3/7) 

Second Half

Outscored 60-38 

Hawks- 72.4%FG (23/31), 77.8%3PT (7/9).

Wolves- 41.2%FG (14/34), 28.6%3PT (2/7)

No answer for Al Horford, as the Olympian recorded 28 points and 10 rebounds.

Kyle Korver(14), Jennero Pargo(16), and former Wolf Anthony Tolliver(6) combine for 36 points shooting

69.2%3PT(9/13)

Wolves struggled to find high percentage looks and lacked offensive energy in second half.  Injuries, twelve different starting lineups, and the abstance of Rick Adelman contribute to the, at times, stagnant offensive play.

Wolves vs Brooklyn

7:00PM CST

FsN, 830WCCO

Wolves rallied after falling behind 22 to hand Nets their first defeat, the first ever at Barclays Center (11/5).

Played with No Kevin Love, or Ricky Rubio.

Outscored Nets 32-10 in 4th Quarter. 

Nets have not won at Target Center since 11/23/2002, losers of previous 8.

Nets are 9-1 in previous 10

Expected to Start

Stats@Hawks 

Rubio
5p-6a-2T.O.
Started previous 3 games (27.7MPG) Minute Limit either has been extended or thrown out

Ridnour
5/13FG, 12 points
Scored 21vsClippers 1/17 (Season High)

Kirilenko
13p-6r-5a and 6T.O.
Defensively assigned Gerald Wallace, Brooklyn's own utility knife

Williams

17p-4r 

Overpowered by Al Horford, Derrick's defensive identity yet to surface

Stiemsma

11p-5r
"It doesn't matter who we're facing, where we're at.  We know we've got to step up on the floor and have the mentality that we have to win the game"- Greg said today.

Guards Joe Johnson and Deron Williams are Net's most potent offensive players.  The duo's ability to dribble penetrate, drive, pass accomidates both players shot making ability.  Both players create mismatches against guards Luke, Ricky, and J.J.  

Mikeal Gelabale will see minutes at the 2 Guard Position, with Alexey not expected to play.

HOtLANta

Wolves @ Hawks

Monday, 1:00 CST

Radio-830AM WCCO

Mickaël Gelabale and Chris Johnson welcomed themselves as Wolves combining for 26 Points, 70%FG (7-10), 80%FT (12-15),10 Rebounds and Chants of MVP in their triumph over Houston 92-79.

Rubio expected to start, his 3rd consecutive.  Recorded 7p-6a in 30 minutes vs Hou.

Dante Cunningham may play, still feels sick/stiff, did not warm-up

Wolves last victory in Atlanta - November 20th, 2002

Keys

Defending Josh Smith and Al Horford- Both Score and Pass very well, averaging over 3APG

Not Allow Kyle Korver open 3pt Looks

Wear down ATL Guards (Rubio, Barea, Ridnour vs. Teague, Jenkins)

Keep turnovers minimal, less transition scoring opportunities

Hawks Clipped

Hawks, 2-5, since defeat at Target Center on 1/8

Lou Williams-
Tore ACL driving to the basket Friday @ Brooklyn
Will have surgery, miss remainder of season
"We're going to miss him," said head coach Larry Drew.  "He was a leader in the locker room.  He's a great person to have on the team.  We all know what his talents are on the court."

Devin Harris-

Rolled Ankle dribbling up-court Saturday hosting San Antonio

Played 7 consecutive games after missing 11 consecutive (left foot)

Listed as Questionable

Rule not applicable

Wolves vs Rockets

Saturday, 7:00 CST

Radio - 830AM WCCO

No Television Broadcast

Teams have lost 11 straight, Wolves-5 Rockets-6

Rockets defeated Wolves at Target Center 87-84 -12/26

9 Wolves will dress, including 2 new players

Pek's vacancy expected 7-10 days

Shved- Listed as day-to-day, will not play

Dante Cunningham will not play (Illness)

Team was granted a Hardship Exception, allowing a 16th player to roster.

Signed Mickael Gelabale and Chris Johnson to 10-day contracts.

A little on Mickael...

6'7" 215lbs 

Started 7 of 10 games played with Cedevita

12.8ppg 4.9rpg  31.7mpg

From the Stripe - 91%

2005 48th overall (2nd Round) to Seattle, opted to remain in Europe 

2006 signed 2 year contract w/Sonics, played sparingly prior to tearing ACL midway through season.

Member of 2012 French Olympic National Team.

P Word..

Wolves on a four game skid, return home to face Clippers

Terry Porter and Staff stated that Ricky Rubio will start, and play added minutes.

J.J. Barea played strong in his return to Dallas with a line of 21p-3r-5a in 26 minutes. 

Derrick Williams will Start. 

Defense allowed 43 points to guard tandem Darren Collison and O.J. Mayo alongside Elton Brand's 20 points on 10-13 shooting.

Wolves have dropped two consecutive to Clippers.  After victories in first three encounters last season, the Wolves were finally defeated in the final game of the series 82-95 and the first meeting of this season 95-101.

0-8 when scoring under 90 points, 16-11 when above.

2-13 when trailing after 3rd Quarter, Outscored 89-76 in previous three games.

Clippers Notes

Chris Paul is not expected to play for the third consecutive game (knee).  The Clippers defeated Memphis and Houston, both on the road, without Paul. 

"That’s why I said before the game that they’re the best team in the West, maybe the best team in the league right now.” - Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins after losing Monday, 73-99.

The Clippers set a new franchise wins in one month, recording sixteen in December.  Chris Paul was awarded Player of the Month.

"The way he has played, the way he has performed, the way he has battled. And it’s awfully tough to come off the bench and do that every night. It’s impressive.” - Warriors head coach Mark Jackson on Jamal Crawford. 

Howl.

@xZaCh

Pandora Station - Funk Jazz

Two of Minnesota's Basketball teams will perform in the spotlight of National Television Thursday.  The Wolves and Gophers will host the Clippers and Wolverines, Gophers Tip - 6:00pm Wolves - 7:00pm CST.

Ketchup

Ketchup is gross.  The taste, texture, and look is bland.

Wolves at Mavericks

7:30PM CST

Wolves complete a four game venture away from home in Dallas Monday

Both Teams 3-7 in previous 10

Teams rank 10,12 of Western Conference

Wolves(10) -  Losers of previous 3

Mavericks(12) - Winners of previous 2

Dirk Nowitzki and Ricky Rubio recovering from injuries, are averaging

• Dirk -13p-5r-2a, 27.4 Minutes in 11 games
• Ricky - 4p-1r-4a, 20 Minutes in 9 games

Wolves Wounds 

• Worst point differential since Christmas - -8.9pts per 100 possesions 
• 29.7 3p% as Visiting Team - League's worst
• Rick Adelman not with the team, his wife remains ill.  Terry Porter maintains the duties

Probable Starters

1. Luke Ridnour - 33pts, 10ast, 2TO shooting 33.7 3p% in last two games
2. Alexey Shved - 2pts, 5ast, 0 - 6 fg% Sunday vs Spurs. 161 total assists is 2nd among active Rookies 
3. Andrei Kirilenko -  13.5ppg, 51.4fg%, 34.9min, also leads team in SLAMS - 38
4. Daunte Cunningham - 43fg%, 23pts in last two games, both Starts
5. Nikola Pekovic - Remains Country Strong, averaging 16.3ppg and 8.5rpg

Derick Williams - 36.7 3PT% , +10% higher than last season, best of team

J.J. Barea will face his former team in Dallas, his first since leaving the team.  He played an active role in the Maverick's 2011-2012 Championship Season.  

Derrick Williams has seen extended minutes in the last four games.  Averaging 24.5 minutes, Derrick has shot 45fg% and 36.7 3p% but has shown lapses in effort defensively.

Wolves have lost previous 3 by an average of 17.3 points.

Wolves start great only to struggle late.  Wolves have led, or tied, after the first quarter in three of the last four games.

Defense must improve.

Fans - One game, One Half, One Quarter and One Possession at a time. 

 

Stay Positive, HowL.

@xZach

The Last BCS Championship

No longer will the BCS system be utilized in determining which two schools compete for the seasons National Title. 

No system is perfect, but, the BCS is scrutinized annually for the final outcome it provides. 

Next season, a four team playoff has been implemented, but, why not include more teams?  Alabama and Notre Dame both waited over thirty days between match-ups before finally competing tonight.  How many playoff rounds and teams could feasibly be created?

Stadiums such as Cowboy Stadium in Dallas and FedEx Field in DC are meant to harbor over 100,000 fans per game.  High capacity stadiums could host playoff rounds as neutral locations. All prominent teams will have monster fan base in attendance, regardless of location. 

This is all about money, right?
More Teams, Games, and seats to fill theoretically would create higher profits for Schools and Sponsors.

College Football is the best semi-pro football league in the world.  Everyone from the players, who aren't even paid, to the fans deserve to see a better product than that of which was put on display tonight.

The Tide is Rollin'.

Zach.

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