MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves hope Kevin Garnett Day will be Kevin Garnett's day as they play their first Game Seven in franchise history against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in their Western Conference semifinal series.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday proclaimed Wednesday as Kevin Garnett Day to recognize his contributions to professional basketball in the state. Garnett was born on May 19, 1976.
Garnett was involved in an altercation with former teammate Anthony Peeler in Game Six on Monday, a 104-87 Sacramento victory. Peeler was handed a two-game suspension Tuesday after elbowing Garnett in the jaw, while Garnett was fined for shouldering Peeler in the chest.
Peeler is one of just seven players coach Rick Adelman has used regularly in the series, but Rodney Buford stepped in and scored seven points in 12 minutes after Peeler was ejected from the contest.
Peja Stojakovic had 22 points to lead a balanced scoring effort for the Kings, who made half their shots after connecting on just 33 percent in a Game Five loss here.
Latrell Sprewell had 27 points and Garnett added 19 and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, but point guard Sam Cassell had only 16 after again suffering from back spasms.
The Kings lost Game Sevens to the Los Angeles Lakers at home two years ago and at Dallas last year. The team has not won a seventh game since 1981, when it was based in Kansas City.
MEANINGFUL MATCHUP:
F Kevin Garnett vs. Chris Webber. Garnett, who made insensitive comments about stockpiling weapons for Wednesday's contest, is the league MVP and needs to play like it in the team's first Game Seven. Webber, who may be feeling some pressure from Kings fans for having yet to lead the team to the NBA Finals, cannot stop Garnett, yet the Timberwolves often go through long stretches without feeding him the ball. Garnett will have to step up in order to lead the Timberwolves to their first conference finals.
WHO'S HOT:
Timberwolves: F Latrell Sprewell, who scored 34 points in Game Five, followed it up in Sacramento by scoring 27 points and making 6-of-7 3-pointers.
Kings: Despite constant foul trouble, G Mike Bibby collected 16 points and 10 assists in Game Six. He is averaging 17.8 and 8.8 in the series and is the engine that drives the team.
WHO'S NOT:
Timberwolves: C Michael Olowokandi continues to be one of the most disappointing players in the playoffs. After scoring a total of four points in 39 minutes in the first three contests, he was held scoreless in just three minutes in Game Four and has not played in the last two contests.
Kings: Even before stupidly elbowing Garnett to earn the suspension for Game Seven, Peeler was having a subpar series. He is averaging just 5.3 points in 24 minutes off the bench.
STREAKS: The Timberwolves have won the last two games against the Kings here after losing the series opener.
SEASON SERIES & HISTORY: The Timberwolves went 3-1 against the Kings this season, but Webber missed all but one of those games. This is the first playoff matchup between the clubs.
INJURIES:
Timberwolves: None.
Kings: G Bobby Jackson (abdominal strain).
