Kings-Timberwolves: Season Opener

Tonight is opening night for the Minnesota Timberwolves and it should be a good start to the season as the Timberwolves will face fairly weak competition.

Minnesota has improved in all aspects of the game from last year. Kevin Love and Mike Miller are two huge additions that can bring shooting as well as terrific defense.

So maybe it isn't the Timberwolves' year to win it all, but improving at this rate every year will get us to the NBA Finals very soon. Minnesota has the tools and the weapons, but they are just too young and inexperienced to get too far.

Minnesota is at home tonight to face the Sacramento Kings who are, of course, without Mike Bibby and Ron Artest after they were traded away in cost-cutting moves that failed to net any top performers in return.

Starting Lineups

Minnesota

PG: Randy Foye
SG: Mike Miller
SF: Corey Brewer
PF: Ryan Gomes
C: Al Jefferson

Sacramento

PG: Beno Udrih
SG: Kevin Martin
SF: John Salmons
PF: Mikki Moore
C: Spencer Hawes

Minnesota is better at nearly every position except for shooting guard. Kevin Martin is an outstanding young guard and don't be surprised if he does bust out 30-plus points tonight and is a major factor in the game. Mike Miller needs to give the best defense in his arsenal in order to guard Kevin Martin.

Game Predictions

Final Score

Minnesota 97, Sacramento 86

Minnesota

Al Jefferson: 21 pts, 12 rebs, 3 asts, 2 blocks
Mike Miller: 18 pts, 4 rebs, 6 asts, 4-8 3-pt FG
Rashad McCants: 14 pts, 3 rebs, 9 asts

Sacramento

Kevin Martin: 33 pts, 5 rebs, 7 asts
Beno Udrih: 11 pts, 3 rebs, 10 asts, 2 steals
Brad Miller: 13 pts, 13 rebs, 2 blocks


It should be a good high-scoring game with a lot of offense and three-point shooting. Hopefully the Wolves are able to start the season out with a solid win.