Timberwolves vs. 76ers:

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Timberwolves vs. 76ers: 6:30 p.m., Ch. 29/ESPN, 1130-AM


Published February 29, 2004 WPRE29

Philadelphia lost three in a row and four of five heading into their game Saturday night at Indiana. Guard Allen Iverson missed the past two games because of a bruised right shoulder, one reason they lost by nine to Atlanta on Tuesday. The 76ers also were without Kenny Thomas (sprained right thumb) and they lost forward Glenn Robinson to a strained right elbow in Tuesday's game. Thomas was expected to play Saturday night. The 76ers are hoping Robinson and Iverson -- neither of whom traveled to Indiana -- will be able to play tonight. . . . The Wolves are 1-1 vs. the 76ers this season. They lost at Philadelphia Dec. 18, when Iverson scored 41 points. Kevin Garnett scored 30 in a 99-91 Wolves victory Feb. 2 at Target Center.

Kent Youngblood

[kris]

Here is another preview for this game 2nite guys, some injury reports and other good info!!

GAME: Minnesota Timberwolves (43-16) at Philadelphia 76ers (23-36).

TIME: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. EST.

With Allen Iverson and Glenn Robinson sidelined with injuries, the Philadelphia 76ers are having trouble finding ways to get the ball in the basket. That problem could be exacerbated when the Sixers welcome the powerful Minnesota Timberwolves to the Wachovia Center.

With a playoff spot slipping further from its grasp, Philadelphia has lost four straight and six of eight. The Sixers are 11th in the Eastern Conference, two games behind Miami for the final postseason berth.

Missing both Iverson and Robinson, their top two scorers, the Sixers will likely have trouble gaining ground against the Timberwolves.

Iverson, the NBA's second-leading scorer, has missed three straight games with a sore right shoulder, and Robinson missed Saturday's 81-74 loss to the Indiana Pacers with a strained right elbow. The duo combines for nearly 36 percent of Philadelphia's offense.

Neither made the trip to Indianapolis on Saturday as the Sixers suffered an 81-74 loss to the conference-leading Pacers.

Kenny Thomas, who had missed one game with a sprained right thumb, led the Sixers with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Willie Green added 16 points off the bench, but Philadelphia never found a rhythm on offense.

"It's tough on the offensive end," Sixers center Samuel Dalembert said. "We have to find a way to score points."

Scoring points has not been much of a problem for Minnesota, which has won three straight and eight of nine. Kevin Garnett had 24 points, nine rebounds and nine assists Friday to lead the Timberwolves to a 91-81 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Minnesota has now defeated every NBA team this season.

Sam Cassell, who returned to the lineup after missing one game with ankle tendinitis, scored 15 points in 29 minutes. Troy Hudson, who scored 29 points Wednesday in Cassell's absence, had four points and seven assists. Hudson played most of the fourth quarter.

"I'm Troy's biggest supporter," Cassell said. "He helps keep us afloat and at the top. For me, it's all about winning."

STANDINGS: Timberwolves - 1st place, Midwest Division. 76ers - 5th place, 14 GB, Atlantic Division.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Timberwolves - F Latrell Sprewell, F Garnett, C Michael Olowokandi, G Trenton Hassell, G Cassell. 76ers - F John Salmons, F Thomas, C Dalembert, G Eric Snow, G Aaron McKie.

TEAM LEADERS: Timberwolves - Garnett, 24.6 ppg and 14 rpg; Cassell, 7.7 apg. 76ers - Iverson, 27.4 ppg; Thomas, 9.9 rpg; Snow, 6.9 apg.

SEASON SERIES: Timberwolves, 1-0.

LAST MEETING: Feb. 1; Timberwolves, 106-101. At Minneapolis, Garnett had 32 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to help the Timberwolves rally from an 18-point deficit for their largest comeback of the season. Iverson scored 28 points to lead Philadelphia.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Timberwolves - 20-9 on the road; 76ers - 13-15 at home.

INJURIES: Timberwolves - F Ndudi Ebi (knee). 76ers - G Iverson (shoulder); F Robinson (elbow); F-C Derrick Coleman (finger); F-C Marc Jackson (finger); C Todd MacCulloch (illness).

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post game wrapup.....Philly played their usual scrappy game and the Slumberwolves gave forth an effort that would make this weekends' Houston & Denver squads equally proud.....

...after watching Denver not show up against San Antonio, lil' Stevie Blunder & the Rockets no show against the Sonics....the Minnie Ha Ha's were not to be outdone....they played their usual coast till the end 4th qtr...but this time coasted to a loss...instead of the usual victory...I hope the @$$h0les go on a 10 game losing streak....

....ya know I expect to lose some of the time....but I damn sure get pissed when the overpaid, lazy bunch of mutherfukkers just show up, flail around like they've never seen a basketball before...and don't even give you an HONEST GAME.....sh!t.........

[kris]

YEH MAN, I TOTALLY AGREE. ITS VERY HARD FOR ME TO BET NBA GAMES!!!!! I can hardly ever win in the nba!!!