Game 70 Preview: Wolves vs. Lakers

Timberwolves: 14-55

Lakers: 50-18

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Best meets worst in tonight’s match-up in L.A. at the Staples Center. The Wolves have lost 17 of their last 18 including an 11 game losing streak. Another streak against the Wolves’ favor, L.A. is riding a current nine game win streak over the Wolves and look to make it 10 straight tonight with a win. One advantage for the Wolves tonight is that Pau Gasol may not be a go due to tonsillitis. Even then, they’ll just stick Lamar Odom in his place and have as much production — if not more — with Gasol in the lineup. The Wolves, both as a team and individually, look tired and defeated. It looks as if they want this season to just come to an end so they can hit the links and get a head start on their golf games. Even Kevin Love, arguably one of our best players, looks to be completely checked out, as he’s had two terrible shooting games back-to-back. Two guys that aren’t quite ready to be done playing are Corey Brewer and Ryan Gomes. Both players are playing hard, creating their own shots on offense and shooting them well. Only problem for them tonight is they have to face the likes of Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest tonight. It just doesn’t look like our night.

Match-ups:

Point Guard:

Jonny Flynn vs. Derek Fisher

Fisher is one of the most professional point guards in the league. He does everything right and is clutch in tight situations. Flynn is neither of those things and can’t shoot a ball into a lake right now.

Advantage: Los Angeles

Shooting Guard:

Corey Brewer vs. Kobe Bryant

Brewer is playing well and making a strong case to return as a starter for next season as well as the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. That’s all there is to play for right now if you’re a Wolf. Kobe is Kobe and he’ll do his thing tonight.

Advantage: Los Angeles

Small Forward:

Ryan Gomes vs. Ron Artest

Just like Brewer, Gomes has played well the past few games. Problem is that Artest is one of the league’s best one-on-one defenders, so Gomes will have even more difficulty creating his own shots tonight.

Advantage: Los Angeles

Power Forward:

Al Jefferson vs. Lamar Odom

From what I’ve heard, Gasol probably won’t play which gives the Wolves the advantage here. Here’s why. Jefferson has played great lately. Only problem is, the Wolves, for some odd reason, stop feeding the ball to the big fella after he gets off to a quick, efficient start in the first quarter. If they can keep feeding him continually tonight, he’ll score 25 on Odom. Odom is a great talent but he lacks the the size and strength to stay with Jefferson and his physical nature all night long. Ground and pound it to the big guy and we could have a shot at this one, well not really but maybe… Ah, it’s no use.

Advantage: Minnesota

Center:

Ryan Hollins vs. Andrew Bynum

Whether it’s actually Hollins starting or Darko Milicic, neither have a chance at slowing down the big man. Bynum is a freak and he’s still a young guy learning the game. But for tonight, he won’t be the student at all, as he’ll be taking Hollins and Darko to school all night long.

Advantage: Los Angeles