Tim's Game Preview: Game 46, Utah Jazz

The four finalists in the "Best Looking Jazz Fan" contest.

Minnesota Timberwolves (10-35) vs. Utah Jazz(27-19) at EnergySolutions Arena

The Wolves are in Salt Lake City, and for the second time this season, will take on "Big" Al Jefferson and the Utah Jazz. The Jazz have lost six straight, including five on the road, and Wednesday night's loss to the San Antonio Spurs at home. The Wolves are coming off of a heartbreaking moral victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center.

There are a lot of storylines to tonight's game. Big Al facing off against the Wolves. Possible All-Stars and Most Improved Player candidates Kevin Love and Paul Millsap. The exciting DNP battle between the Haywards.

The Jazz fans even began booing their team on Wednesday night. I can only imagine what those fans are going to do tonight. Let's break down the matchups and see: 

They tried making the Numb#rs video with Big Al while he was here, but he kept standing in one spot, refused to acknowledge Crunch on the outside and kept scowling at the camera.

Darko Milicicvs. Al Jefferson 

A Western Conference GM once traded an overpaid player, who had proven incapable of carrying a team to a fringe playoff contender, for two 1st round non-lottery picks and an under-23 backup center. When Daryl Morey did it with Tracy McGrady, he was called brilliant. When David Kahn did it with Big Al, he was called moronic. You gotta love it.

David Kahn also was able to get Darko Milicic basically for free from the Knicks. Some people love to hate on Darko, but given that the team has given up very little for him, it's hard to say that the Serbian has not been a good return on investment. He's given us the shot blocking of Al Jefferson - and then some - while giving us an option in the post who is a willing passer and a sometimes-effective scoring option.

I like Big Al and thought he was great while he was here, but in tonight's game, we'll see that the drop off from Jefferson to Darko is negligible.  

Winner: Darko Milicic

Paul, give us two thumbs up if you think Kevin Love belongs in the All-Star Game.

Kevin Love vs. Paul Millsap

Paul Millsap and Kevin Love have both been mentioned in national circles as players who may be worthy of an All-Star berth. But there's really no contest when you compare the two players:

Kevin Love is averaging more points (22 to 17), rebounds (16 to 8) and assists (2.6 to 2.2) with higher TS% (.590 to .577). Love turns the ball over a bit more and doesn't block as many shots, but in virtually every other category, Love has the better numbers.

Of course, its not all about the numbers. It's also about has done the most for his team. And by that measure, Love once again comes out on top. Love has led the Wolves to the best moral start in franchise history and has us poised to break the Chicago Bulls' 72-10 moral victory record. Paul Millsap and the Jazz are having an okay season, but okay isn't going to cut it.

If you have any questions as to why Love should get the All-Star nod over Millsap, just watch tonight's game.

Winner: Kevin Love

Drinking soup straight from a saucepan right after playing in a basketball game is probably not the best idea. But its a lot smarter than trying to guard Michael Beasley.  

Michael Beasley vs. Andrei Kirilenko

Last time, I nicknamed Andrei Kirilenko "The Bayonet", because he's outdated and is only effective within 5 feet. After seeing him play last game against the Wolves, however, it's clear that The Bayonet has turned a little bit rusty over the years. Be East dropped 24 points on Kirilenko on 9-of-16 shooting and also grabbed 10 rebounds. Once hailed as a top notch defender, he got consistently abused by Beasley and I expect the same type of performance tonight.

Beasley, for his part, should be thanking the Man Above every night about the fact that he was traded to the Timberwolves. I mean, if you were given the choice, would you rather play for the best up-and-coming team in the league - the Minnesota Timberwolves - or the destined-to-fail traveling circus of the Miami Heat? I'd rather not get booed every night and the Wolves' fans are too classy to ever utter such a noise.

Beasley has avoided heartbreak in the Conference Finals and national scorn from the ESPN guys about playing with a guy like LeBron James. You're welcome, Michael.

Winner: Michael Beasley

If this whole basketball thing doesn't work out for Raja Bell, at least he might have a future career as an ugly clothing designer.

Corey Brewervs. Raja Bell

Since I've been handing out nicknames recently, I've got one for Corey Brewer: the Fire Marshall. When shooters get hot, send out Brewer and he'll put 'um out. He was able to hold Kevin Durantto only 47 points last game, despite blatant push offs from Durant, and is quickly developing a Ron Artest-like reputation for his defensive prowess. Speculation is also beginning as to what it will take to lock up Brewer long term. My sources at the Target Center tell me that they've already been approached by three NBA teams about trades for Brewer.

For all the good news about Brewer, however, you know what is the most disappointing about the former Gator? He'll never get a chance to play Michael Jordan in his prime. Now that would've been a matchup worth watching.

Tonight, Brewer goes against Raja "Steve Nash Gets a Cut of My Paycheck" Bell. He's a homeless man's Ray Allen, provided that homeless man had invested half of his money with Bernie Madoff and used the rest to invest with Goldline International.

Winner: Corey Brewer

Given what just happened with O.J. Mayo, Floyd Landis is probably not the guy you want to be posing with, Deron.

Luke Ridnour vs. Deron Williams

Luke Ridnour had 12 points, 8 assists and 3 steals last game. His shooting was a little off - 4 of 13 from the floor and 0 of 4 from downtown - but he ran the team well. Unfortunately, all fans remember about that game was "the free throw" and his double-clutch shot with time left on the clock that did not go in. If the Timberwolves' had a version of Ray Finkle, he'd be Ridnour, who would scream "laces out" to everyone within earshot.

Forget, of course, that Ridnour's points and assists have increased every month this season (from 9.6 and 3.6 in November to 13.5 and 6.7 in January). Forget that, after complaining all year last season that we had no one getting assists on our ball club, Ridnour is finally giving the Wolves a floor general in the backcourt. By all means, concentrate on two of the over 400 shots that Ridnour has taken all season. That's fair.

On the Utah side, Deron Williams is dealing with an injury and is a gametime decision. If he can't go, he'll be replaced by the incomparable Earl Watson. Against either guard, I'll take the guy from Oregon.

Winner: Luke Ridnour

Jerry Sloan describing Minnesota's offensive gameplan.

My Prediction: Timberwolves 109 - Utah Jazz 98

Timberwolves' Record: 11-35