Wolves vs. Pacers - Game Blog

Finally, the NBA is back in Minnesota. The Wolves have logged more miles in these past three weeks than Britney Spears did last year*, including a trek through Europe and respective two-game road trips upon returning to this side of the pond.
*OK, maybe not that much.

Someone named Hannah Montana has seen more court time at Target Center than the Wolves. As such, we're so ready to see some basketball on the Minnesota hardwood that we blogged throughout the action, quarter-by-quarter. The most important thing you need to remember from tonight's 106-95 loss is that Al Jefferson scored 27 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. But, if you're looking for details on this, that and everything from the game, here you go:

First Quarter
- Let's get a quick injury update before tipoff: After shootaround this morning, Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien said that bigs Jermaine O'Neal, Troy Murphy and David Harrison are all out with injuries. For the Wolves, neither Randy Foye nor Sebastian Telfair will man the point, as both re-aggravated knee and ankle injuries, respectively. What does that tell me? The Pacers will be trying to stop Al Jefferson with Jeff Foster and Ike Diogu, neither of whom matches up all too well against Big Al. As a result, we should see a good amount of double-teams coming Jefferson's way, and how he passes out of them will be paramount. If Al gets minutes, he'll no doubt get 20 and 10. Period. If he gets 30 minutes and doesn't go 20 and 10, tell me I'm a moron in the Wolves Mail Bag tomorrow.

- Starting lineup: Theo Ratliff, Jefferson, Corey Brewer, Ricky Davis and Marko Jaric. Indy counters with Foster, Diogu, Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavy and Jamaal Tinsley. In other words, there are no All-Stars on the floor to start the game ... But Jefferson, Brewer and Granger could be regulars in the future.

- The game tipped off at 7:12 p.m., and after Indy won the tip, Diogu quickly hit a baseline jumper. However, the Wolves quickly countered with a Jefferson leaner in the lane after nice penetration from Jaric.

- We haven't spoken enough about Theo Ratliff's defensive presence here on timberwolves.com. There are only three active players in the entire league with more blocks - Shaq, Alonzo and Dikembe - and Rat immediately reminded us of this by eliminating a Jeff Foster effort on Indy's second possesssion. A few minutes later, he came over from the weak side to plaster another Pacer shot on the backboard. If this continues, Theo will finish the game with just 48 blocks.

- "Jefferson is a monster," says intern Matt after the big fella up-faked the crap out of Jeff Foster and finished at the rim. With eight minutes remaining, he already has seven points, and has scored in three different ways (plus a free throw). But the best thing about Jefferson is he is always down on the block. Offensively, he creates space with his big body and gives Minnesota's guards an option each possession. As I'll continue to note, I love KG's game, but at the PF spot, he was hardly ever on that block. P.S., Al has six boards.

- I already have a new bright spot for you regarding this year's Timberwolves: On a possession starting with six minutes remaining in the first, Minnesota grabbed no fewer than five offensive rebounds. With Jefferson and Ratliff leading the charge, the Wolves did end up missing each put-back attempt, but there was a very audible aura of approval in Target Center. I can't remember seeing the Wolves this active on the offensive glass once last year. This is good.

- Minnesota isn't playing great defensively, and they are getting good looks at the offensive end, but there's a pretty big discrepancy in FG%. Indiana has nailed all four of its three-point attempts, and is shooting 63 percent. The missed tip-ins on the possession where the Wolves rebounded like Amare after micro-fracture surgery didn't help the FG% (35 percent). That and five turnovers have Indiana up 27-17 with 3:07 remaining. Meanwhile, we see the first subs of the game for Minny: Craig Smith and Greg Buckner for Jaric and Ratliff. 10 seconds later, Ryan Gomes checked in for Brewer.

- Wittman's timeout and substitutions worked well: A 7-0 run cut the lead to 27-24. The quarter closed with Indy up 30-26, behind 55 percent shooting to 33 percent from the Wolves. But I'll take it, and here's why: Minnesota outrebounded Indy 18-7. Jefferson in particular (seven boards) made Indy look like a bunch of Websters. Intern Jude just told me that the Wolves grabbed 11 offensive rebounds. Please, don't confuse intern Jude (on my right) with intern Matt (on my left). They'll be here all year, folks.

Second Quarter
- Having written more than only the most serious of Wolves rubes could have wanted to know in that first quarter, we're going to slow it down a bit here. We don't want you to feel overloaded, like I felt while watching the Bachelor last night when Hillary cried for the third time. Come on Hil, he told you in a nice way he just wanted to be friends. No, he doesn't want you to tell him that you can picture having his kids. What's that? You're crying again?

- It's 35-33 Pacers after a Gomes three. The Wolves have missed three more layups already this quarter. But as I'm sure coach Wittman will say after the game, that's of lesser concern than the fact that his guys are getting those great looks in the first place.

- If I could swear, now would be the time. Craig Smith just went down really hard with 6:53 to go in the half, landing very awkwardly after running Mike Dunleavy over. Wait ... He's getting up. Pshew. I forgot that the Rhino can't be hurt. Good thing I didn't curse.

- Good thing O'Brien told me that Granger has been struggling with his shot, because he looks like Ray Allen did in the high school games of "He Got Game." He's 6-of-7 from the floor (including 3-for-3 from deep) and 5-for-5 from the line for 20 points.

- All of a sudden, Minnesota has gotten even colder from the field, and Indy hasn't slowed down its shooting. A 12-0 run has the visitors up 47-33, and it's pretty clear the Wolves could use a pace-changer like Foye or Telfair.

- Smith just walked back onto the floor after getting checked out in the locker room by the world's best physical therapist, Andre DeLoya. Really, ask anyone in the NBA, DeLoya is absolutely terrific. You care because he and athletic trainers Greg Farnum and Anthony Aldridge do a lot to keep these athletes on the floor despites a plethora of injuries we never even hear about.

- The View was voted best new restaurant by City Search, we learn thanks to our PA announcer. Intern Matt's favorite restaurant is Major's Sports Cafe ... but he's from Northfield, so he doesn't get out much. Intern Jude selected P.F. Changs. This is a better choice. Try the Mongolian Beef.

- Steve Aschburner is here, and I mention this because he's a great basketball writer ... check his column on SI.com later and see if he's as impressed with Jefferson's low-post moves as I am. I'm trying to think of another big guy with his moves on the block that I saw play in the NBA last year, and I have nothing. 14 and eight so far for Al.

- Minnesota heads into halftime with a 45-58 deficit, thanks to (really pounding this into your heads) 16-for-46 shooting. I also feel obligated to share this stat: Indy outrebounded the Wolves 18-to-8 in the second. Boo. Hiss. Maybe more than anything, the Wolves didn't pressure the ball very well defensively, and Indiana was getting too many good looks. At least Al Jefferson is twice as good as everyone on the floor.

Third Quarter
- Another Ratliff block gives him three in about nine minutes (insert your 600 First Ave. North block party joke here). More comical was Al Jefferson catching a desperation heave at the end of the shot clock and sending it towards the hoop while in midair. Swish. 19 and 10 for Al with 9:00 to go in the third. Decent. I need one more point for you to not call me an idiot.

- A 12-4 run to open the quarter, capped by a Davis chip-shot in the lane, makes it 62-57. This seems like a situation where Wittman told the guys to focus on pressuring the ball defensively, starting with Davis picking up the point guard, and it's working.

- These two things just happened at the same time, but we're calling it a mere coincidence:
A) The Wolves Dancers perform a Gwen Stefani song.
B) Darren Sharper walks into the building.

- If you're just joining us, there's a rumor going around that Al Jefferson looks dominant. A pretty turnaround baby hook and a transition slam later and he's sitting at 23 points and 12 boards halfway through the third. The only reason I'm not high fiving intern Matt or intern Jude every time he does something nice is Jeff Foster. Well, and Ike Diogu. Those guys are fine players, but they aren't any kind of match for AJ down low. I was just going to say that Duncan, Amare, Boozer, Dirk, etc. will make it tougher, but none of those guys could stop these moves either. Team defense like the Spurs play will be mandatory in containing No. 25.

- A terrific steal from Brewer's Gumby-arms results in a Ricky Davis reverse jam at the other end and a 63-63 tie. Great stuff from Minny so far this quarter. Behind the Wolves bench, intern Jude decides that Foye has the coolest jacket between Telfair, Mad Dog and McCants. I'll go with Telfair, due to some tight elbow pads. Retro.

- Indy is back up by nine, and I'm not really sure how it happened. Intern Matt and I decided that Minnesota let up just a bit after that big run ... And they missed two more layups.

- Timeout Wolves. Intern Jude loves basketball, but he made the right choice when I asked him whether he'd prefer to have Jefferson's low-post game, or be Tom Brady. 27 TDs, two INTs, 7-0, three Super Bowls in the books, "Best Dressed" awards and ... the trump card ... Giselle.

- Davis is 4-for-13. This won't happen very often, but it's hurting the Wolves tonight. But he is leading the team in assists. Good news: Rhino is checking in. He must feel all right. Nice ovation for Big Al going out here, thanks to 25 points and 15 boards.

- This is a big Wolves lineup on the floor: Ratliff (6-10); Smith (6-7); Gomes (6-8); Davis (6-7) and Buckner (6-4). 83-73 Indy, by the way, after a-freaking-nother missed layup.

Fourth Quarter
- Jefferson may go 20-20 tonight. "He's a monster," says intern Jude. He must not have heard intern Matt say that in the first quarter.

- Gomes just forced Indy into a really tough, contested shot at the end of the shot clock with some great weak-side defense, but Tinsley buried a three. That's how it's been tonight. Subsequently, down 88-77, Gomes came up with another good defensive play by stealing a pass, but Tinsley stopped a 3-on-1 break by swiping the ball from Gerald Green, who had locked and loaded for take off. (Insert bad word here).

- Jefferson just led the Wolves back to within six, and now has 27 and 16. Green has been key in these last few minutes. As for AJ, I admittedly haven't been watching him on the defensive end as much, other than on the glass, but offensively he's been outstanding. This is something about which Wolves fans can get excited. In addition, Chris Richard deserves mention here. He came in for only a few minutes, but everything he did was positive. Boards, screens, hustle, banging. Solid.

- So annoying ... Diener just canned another deep three. That's 10-of-18 from three by the Pacers, and the lead is back to 10. Brewer came back with a nice baseline dunk, then got out on a fast break only to miss a layup that would have made it 95-89. Poop. Thanks to Buckner for converting the next possession to get to that score.

- OK, this one's over, but lots of nice things happened. We've beat the Jefferson is $ stuff to death, but should mention a "quiet" 14 and seven from Gomes in 17 minutes. I guess that's how Gomes rolls. He does everything well and nothing poorly, and the numbers steadily pile up.

- Final score: 106-95. MVP: Big Al.