Reilly
11-05-2005, 10:36 AM
Minnesota Timberwolves (1-1) at Los Angeles Clippers (2-0).
TIME: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. EST.
Sam Cassell is helping the Los Angeles Clippers after having his share of problems with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.
He'll try to help his new team to its first 3-0 start in 20 years when the Timberwolves visit the Staples Center.
A year ago, Cassell was dissatisfied with his contract in Minnesota, and skipped the first two days of camp before hurting his hamstring. The injury limited the 36-year-old guard to a career-low 59 games, and he averaged 13.5 points - his lowest in 10 years.
Cassell and a conditional first-round draft pick were traded to Los Angeles in August for guards Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers. The veteran guard averaged a career-high 19.8 points and 7.3 assists per game two seasons ago, helping Minnesota to the Western Conference finals.
"I just felt we needed to change up the team a bit. Last year was a disappointing year," Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale said at the time. "It was time to go in another direction."
The direction has been a positive one in the early going for Los Angeles, which has not reached the playoffs since 1997. Cassell poured in 35 points in a season-opening win at Seattle before following it up with 12 points in Friday's 92-77 home win over Atlanta.
The Clippers can open a season with a third straight win for the first time since 1985-86, when they started 5-0 en route to a 32-50 finish in their second year in Los Angeles after moving from San Diego.
Jaric, heralded by McHale for his versatility, has also had an impact with his new team. The 26-year-old guard is averaging 17 points and 4.5 assists in his first two games with Minnesota.
Los Angeles was eager to move Jaric in order to develop second-year guard Shaun Livingston, who is out with a sore lower back.
Kevin Garnett finished with 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as Minnesota suffered a 107-102 overtime loss at Seattle on Friday. The defeat spoiled first-year coach Dwane Casey's return to Seattle, where he spent 11 seasons as an assistant.
STANDINGS (through Nov. 4): Timberwolves - 2nd place, 1 GB, Northwest Division. Clippers - 1st place, Pacific Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Timberwolves - F Wally Szczerbiak, F Garnett, C Michael Olowokandi, G Trenton Hassell, G Jaric. Clippers - F Elton Brand, F Quinton Ross, C Chris Kaman, G Cassell, G Cuttino Mobley.
TEAM LEADERS: Timberwolves - Garnett, 20.5 ppg and 8 apg; Olowokandi, 9 rpg. Clippers - Cassell, 23.5 ppg and 7.5 apg; James Singleton, 11.5 rpg.
2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Timberwolves, 3-1.
LAST MEETING: March 27; Timberwolves, 89-85. At Minneapolis, Garnett scored 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and Cassell added 16 off the bench as Minnesota won its fourth straight.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Timberwolves - 0-1 on the road; Clippers - 1-0 at home.
TIME: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. EST.
Sam Cassell is helping the Los Angeles Clippers after having his share of problems with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.
He'll try to help his new team to its first 3-0 start in 20 years when the Timberwolves visit the Staples Center.
A year ago, Cassell was dissatisfied with his contract in Minnesota, and skipped the first two days of camp before hurting his hamstring. The injury limited the 36-year-old guard to a career-low 59 games, and he averaged 13.5 points - his lowest in 10 years.
Cassell and a conditional first-round draft pick were traded to Los Angeles in August for guards Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers. The veteran guard averaged a career-high 19.8 points and 7.3 assists per game two seasons ago, helping Minnesota to the Western Conference finals.
"I just felt we needed to change up the team a bit. Last year was a disappointing year," Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale said at the time. "It was time to go in another direction."
The direction has been a positive one in the early going for Los Angeles, which has not reached the playoffs since 1997. Cassell poured in 35 points in a season-opening win at Seattle before following it up with 12 points in Friday's 92-77 home win over Atlanta.
The Clippers can open a season with a third straight win for the first time since 1985-86, when they started 5-0 en route to a 32-50 finish in their second year in Los Angeles after moving from San Diego.
Jaric, heralded by McHale for his versatility, has also had an impact with his new team. The 26-year-old guard is averaging 17 points and 4.5 assists in his first two games with Minnesota.
Los Angeles was eager to move Jaric in order to develop second-year guard Shaun Livingston, who is out with a sore lower back.
Kevin Garnett finished with 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as Minnesota suffered a 107-102 overtime loss at Seattle on Friday. The defeat spoiled first-year coach Dwane Casey's return to Seattle, where he spent 11 seasons as an assistant.
STANDINGS (through Nov. 4): Timberwolves - 2nd place, 1 GB, Northwest Division. Clippers - 1st place, Pacific Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Timberwolves - F Wally Szczerbiak, F Garnett, C Michael Olowokandi, G Trenton Hassell, G Jaric. Clippers - F Elton Brand, F Quinton Ross, C Chris Kaman, G Cassell, G Cuttino Mobley.
TEAM LEADERS: Timberwolves - Garnett, 20.5 ppg and 8 apg; Olowokandi, 9 rpg. Clippers - Cassell, 23.5 ppg and 7.5 apg; James Singleton, 11.5 rpg.
2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Timberwolves, 3-1.
LAST MEETING: March 27; Timberwolves, 89-85. At Minneapolis, Garnett scored 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and Cassell added 16 off the bench as Minnesota won its fourth straight.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Timberwolves - 0-1 on the road; Clippers - 1-0 at home.