CHAPTER 1051: CHAPTER 338: THE TURNING POINT OF THEIR FATE

Roger replied with "OK" and hung up the phone; at this moment, he noticed camera flashes outside the car window.

The team’s bus had already arrived at the Target Center parking lot; the Warriors had ventured deep into the wolves’ den.

Roger closed the magazine, put down his phone, and was the first to stand up: "Time to get to work!"

Inside the Target Center, the enthusiasm of the fans had already shown Roger how popular the Timberwolves were this season.

Minneapolis is a small market; in the past many years, the teams here have been nothing more than mere side players, and thus didn’t have much popularity.

But now, someone has ignited this place, melting the snow that sealed the Timberwolves for many years.

The man who accomplished all this, Kevin Garnett, walked past half court and proactively came over to shake hands with Roger: "Roger, how are you feeling?"

"As always, I hate it here. It’s too cold."

Roger looked up at Kevin Garnett before him; unknowingly, that high school kid who struggled to adjust in the NBA and needed guidance has now entered his prime, truly becoming his opponent.

"No problem, Roger, soon you’ll hate it here even more. Many people only remember the low temperatures in Minneapolis; winters can drop to minus 40 degrees here. But few know that in summer, this city’s highest temperature can reach 40 degrees. You’ll feel the extreme heat and extreme cold here! Roger, tonight’s result will be no different from last time!"

The once timid little wolf has grown strong wings.

"Extreme heat and extreme cold," Roger nodded, "Isn’t that just like having jelly in your mouth? It’s not that I haven’t experienced it before, it’s quite comfortable."

Garnett: ???

Roger turned away casually, looking at Amar’e Stoudemire: "Amar’e, your score tonight can’t be less than his!"

"What? He’s KG!"

"Even if he’s a Transformer, you’ve got to take him down for me!"

The starting lineups for both teams took their positions, with the national broadcast signal being transmitted to every basketball-watching household.

"This is a crucial game; I know the Golden State Warriors are strong this season, and I know Roger is ready to reach the top again. But this is a highly competitive season; Roger has beaten many opponents, yet there are still adversaries in the League that he hasn’t defeated— the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of them.

Whether the Timberwolves or Warriors want to win the championship, they need to prove they can defeat each other. The Timberwolves won the last match; we all know how outstanding this historically strong Timberwolves team is. Can Roger succeed in the Bay Area? Let’s see tonight and make a judgment!"

After Marv Albert finished speaking, both teams’ starters took their positions.

The Timberwolves’ starting lineup remained unchanged, but the Warriors promoted Marcus Camby to the starting lineup.

Mutombo’s current stamina is too poor, combined with limited mobility, so when not facing powerful low-post threats, starting Marcus Camby is the better choice.

In the opening play of the game, Kevin Garnett experienced the power of the new starter.

On the Timberwolves’ first attack, Cassell and KG ran a pick-and-roll, elegantly passing the ball back to the Wolf King while facing Stoudemire’s help defense.

Stoudemire immediately lunged forward, but Garnett merely faked raising the ball over his head and broke through once Stoudemire leaped up.

This move is very similar to Stoudemire; at the power forward position, both KG and Stoudemire can lure defenders forward with their mid-range shots and then seize the opportunity to break through.

The difference is, if it were Stoudemire, he’d surely dash straight to the basket, lowering Hua Mountain’s height.

But after KG broke past Stoudemire, he stopped abruptly and took a jump shot just like a guard.

Though KG had trash talking skills, his body seemed to have a cleanliness obsession, disliking contact on the offensive end.

Compared to other top power forwards, Karl Malone averaged 6.6 free throws per career game, Tim Duncan 6.1, and Nowitzki, who doesn’t like to play inside, averaged 5.4.

And Garnett? 4.1.

This shows how much he has a cleanliness obsession, how unwilling he is to engage in combat in the restricted area.

Garnett didn’t choose to challenge Camby; he had more confidence in his jump shot.

But the moment he released the shot, he was immediately face-covered and interfered with.

If the Warriors’ starting center were Mutombo, the five positions surely wouldn’t have time to defend him.

But when the Warriors’ starting center is Marcus Camby, the Marcus Camby who decided to redeem the ultimate prize, then you must pay attention to the defensive area of the Warriors’ center position!

Under Camby’s active interference, KG’s shot bounced off the rim. Kandi Man Olowokandi wanted to grab the rebound but was outdone by Stoudemire’s faster bounce reflex.

The Warriors’ starting lineup adjustment was immediately effective!

To deal with Garnett, you need a strongly mobile interior combination!

The game continued; Trenton Hassel was in charge of guarding Roger on the Timberwolves’ side, a guard who built his career in the League through defense.

Such players often haven’t been selected for defensive rosters, but sometimes they’re harder to deal with than stars selected for defensive rosters. As we all know, stars often need to balance both offense and defense. So in some defensive rounds, situations like hands on hips, dazing, or eye-defense might occur.

But such pure defensive players can dedicate all their stamina and energy into defense, making every second of your offensive end uncomfortable.

Roger called for a pick-and-roll; KG charged out to patrol, temporarily trapping Roger with Hassel’s cooperation, and smartly blocked the passing line Roger had to Stoudemire with long arms.