Greetings From Billings
Billings, Mont. — Rimrock Auto Arena will be the site of tonight’s preseason opener for the Thunder. The Minnesota Timberwoves are the home team, playing in this 12,000 seat venue for the third time since 2001. I haven’t heard any estimates on ticket sales or what the crowd might be like tonight. The Wolves-Raptors games in 2001 drew 10,102. The Wolves-Pacers game drew 5,682 in 2005.
The team just walked into the arena at 5:40 central time. They can’t take the court for a while because of a basketball clinic the Timberwolves are doing for kids. Robert Swift, Chris Alexander, Derrick Byars and John Lucas are patiently waiting on the youngsters to get off the court. So is Minnesota’s Calvin Booth.
I’ll be speaking with coach P.J. Carlesimo soon in hopes of getting some idea of what to expect tonight, how many minutes the regulars will play, what combinations he wants to use in tonight’s opener and how he’ll get around the injuries to his frontcourt.
This game will be televised on KSBI-52 in the Oklahoma City area and those of you who tune in will certainly experience a wierd preseason feel. The painted portions of the court, the lane, sidelines and halfcourt court, are painted sort of a turquoise, which won’t come close to matching either team’s colors. It’s also a lot darker in here than any NBA arena and they’ve got that funky taped 3-point line to distinguish the NBA 3 from the college or high school 3. Not to mention the at times bad ball you’ll likely be seeing tonight.
Both teams have been forced into the position of road warriors. I’m sure you know the Thunder’s story. Here’s what the Wolves are going through.
And oh yeah, the powers that be tell me we’re supposed to be having a live chat right here during the game with me and soem editors. So don’t go anywhere.
Here are the probable starters, although I saw somewhere that Wolves coach Randy Wittman could switch it up tonight.
Thunder (0-0)
Position Player Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast
Guard Earl Watson 6-1 10.7 1.3 6.8
Guard Kevin Durant 6-9 20.3 4.3 2.4
Forward Jeff Green 6-9 10.5 4.7 1.5
Forward Chris Wilcox 6-10 13.4 7.0 1.2
Center Nick Collison 6-0 9.8 9.4 1.4
Timberwolves (1-0)
Position Player Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast
Guard Randy Foye 6-4 11.0 3.0 4.0
Guard Mike Miller 6-8 12.0 3.0 7.0
Forward Ryan Gomes 6-7 5.0 5.0 2.0
Forward Mark Madsen 6-9 0.0 2.0 1.0
Center Al Jefferson 6-10 18.0 8.0 0.0
* 2007-08 stats.
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Go OKC Potatoes!!!