Cassell’s Injury Endangers the Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves without a sound Sam Cassell look more like an offensively challenged team from the Eastern Conference than the Western Conference’s No. 1-seeded team.

Cassell gives the Timberwolves three go-to scorers, but when he’s not on the floor, opponents can load up defensively to stop Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell.

That’s no way to play against the Lakers, who have won five games in a row and are playing their best all-around game of the season. The Timberwolves need Cassell’s productivity because they do not have enough agile weapons to make the Lakers sweat.

But with Cassell listed as questionable for tonight’s Game 2 after sitting out the fourth quarter of Game 1 because of a back injury, Minnesota may not have any choice.

Timberwolves’ move: Coach Flip Saunders is one of the league’s most underrated coaches; making adjustments is one of his strengths. Saunders’ biggest challenge is slowing down Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, who combined for 50 points on 18-for-36 shooting.

Saunders may be forced to gamble and have Kevin Garnett take on a defensive role similar to the way Bryant has been playing.

Although he risks tiring his best player, Garnett could disrupt the Lakers by double-teaming O’Neal or Bryant whenever he has the ball. Garnett is tall and quick enough to create problems and turnovers for the Timberwolves, who need to score transition points to have a chance.

Minnesota did a lot of good things Friday, shooting 49.3% from the field and 93.3% from free-throw line. But the Timberwolves need to play with more urgency and attack the basket.

If Cassell does not play or is ineffective, Saunders will have Garnett take over the ball-handling duties and allow him to set up the offense. Fred Hoiberg is a great shooter but not quick enough and Saunders seems to have lost confidence in former UCLA Bruin and Clipper Darrick Martin.

Lakers’ move: Derek Fisher’s shooting played a huge role in the Lakers’ success in Game 1, making four of five three-point shots.

Fisher benefited from the Lakers’ unselfish approach, which has been spearheaded by Karl Malone.

Since Game 2 against San Antonio in the second round, the Lakers have been willing to make the extra pass. The Lakers made 37 field goals and had 29 assists Friday.

The Lakers’ spacing was near-perfect in Game 1, with players giving each other enough room to do their thing. There were times when the Lakers operated out of their more traditional triangle, but they mainly stuck with high screen-and-roll plays.

The Timberwolves do not have enough physically strong players to keep the Lakers out of their favorite spots on the court. This is a major problem for Minnesota, especially when Bryant is not always trying to beat double-teams with dribble drives. As long as the Lakers can dictate where they want the ball and when, the Timberwolves will feel as if they are playing short-handed.

Something to look for: O’Neal made nine of 11 free throws in Game 1 and when he shoots like that from the line, he truly is unstoppable. But the Timberwolves have to hope that his free-throw performance Friday was a rarity.

If O’Neal shot his sub-.500 playoff average, Minnesota would have been much closer down the stretch instead of fighting to overcome the Lakers’ sizable lead in Game 1. That’s why Saunders has to be ready and willing to foul O’Neal early and often.

Even if Cassell is able to produce, the Timberwolves need all the help they can get to knock off the streaking Lakers. Having O’Neal miss free throws instead of completing dunks is always a good idea at playoff time.