Game Preview
Matchup: Hornets @ Timberwolves
Off Efficiency: Hornets 108.8 (5th), TWolves 100.2(27th)
Def Efficiency: Hornets 102.7(5th), TWolves 108.7(27th)
Wolf-likin' Blogger: TWolvesBlog

These two teams are essentially complete opposites from one another.

The Hornets are in the top 5 in both Defense and Offense.  The Wolves are in the bottom 5.  The Hornets have gone 8-2 in their last ten.  The Wolves have gone 2-8.  The Wolves have an offensive-minded center, the Hornets have a defensive-minded center.  The Wolves have beaten the Utah Jazz twice this season, the Hornets have not.  Complete opposites.

We can't take these guys lightly.  The Wolves have played a little better recently, going 7-8 in March, and beat us earlier in the season.  If they do so again, I will retaliate by writing an ode to Bonzi Wells' mole.  I don't think even our resident Wells-fan munciemug would want that.

Injuries: My soul, after watching last nights game.  Oh, and Sebastian Telfair - he's day to day for the Wolves.

Positional Analysis
PG: Randy Foye v Chris Paul
Advantage: Hornets
Honestly, I don't know if it is Foye or Jaric who will play point most of the game.  Both are capable, so maybe they'll be splitting it.  I put Foye here because of his size.  Foye is a player in the Ben Gordon mold, except he's not as much of a black hole and is sometimes willing to pass.  He's got a nice deep stroke, but can be turned over.  I doubt CP's steal streak ends tonight.

SG: Marko Jaric v Morris Peterson
Advantage: Hornets
About once every ten games Jaric will put up nice numbers.  Then he goes back to not giving a damn or playing hard.  Peterson puts up big numbers about as often, but he always plays hard.

SF: Corey Brewer v Peja Stojakovic
Advantage: Hornets
I've always felt that Corey Brewer was vastly overrated coming out of college last year.  He had a couple nice games, but he seemed very limited on the offensive end of the floor, even if he was a speedy defender.  So far, he's done nothing to dispel that notion, scoring 5.6 points a game on 37% shooting for the season.  17% from deep.  In a lot of ways, it's like drafting someone early in the lottery and then found out you've picked up a 6'7" version of Jannero Pargo.  Peja's deep stroke has slipped a little over the last couple weeks - but he's made up for it by going to the basket very effectively.

PF: Ryan Gomes v David West
Advantage: Hornets
I like Gomes a lot in the same way I like Millsap of the Jazz.  As a reserve PF/SF he would be great coming off the pine and shooting and rebounding well in limited minutes.  As a starter, he's just not good enough.  He'll score a little and bother West a little fronting him on defense, but Fluffy will be able to handle him.

C: Al Jefferson v Tyson Chandler
Advantage: Timberwolves
Jefferson defends poorly, but scores extremely well from the post. Chandler scores extremely poorly from the post but defends well.  In the end, I think Jefferson will get his 21 and 11, and Chandler will get his 12 and 12.

Bench
Advantage: Hornets
The Hornets advantage here isn't large - and is based mostly on the defense played by the second unit and Bonzi's dependable contributions.  The wolves have been stockpiling young guys, and as usual, that means their starters suck, but their 2nd unit isn't so bad.  With McCants, Craig Smith, and our old friend Kirk Snyder coming off the bench, they have some offensive potential.

I have a feeling the Hornets will come out angry tonight and win by 15.