Nov
2
Kevin Garnett’s Boston Debut Seems Fitting Tonight with On This Day in Basketball History Considered
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
Seventeen years ago today, the Minnesota Timberwolves played its first game in the Target Center, which is still the team’s stadium. In a day and age in which stadiums seemingly change names nearly every couple of years, it’s amazing that the Target Center has retained its name since its inception.
Of course, the most important game to take place in the Target Center was the Timberwolves Game Seven triumph over the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2004 NBA Playoffs. After years of having his ability to take over in the big game questioned, Kevin Garnett dominated in the fourth quarter as the Wolves eked out a tough series win against the Kings. Minnesota would lose in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 Western Conference Finals.
Ironically, Garnett began his career tonight as a Boston Celtic in impressive fashion as the green-and-white whooped the Washington Wizards 103-83. As for Minnesota, which of course wasted Garnett for years and traded him to Boston this past summer, the young Timberwolves competed hard but lost 99-91 to the Denver Nuggets at the Target Center.
As for Denver, the Nuggets also have some history on this day in basketball history in 1990. The Nuggets lost to the Golden State Warriors 162-158 at its old home, McNicholls Arena, seventeen years ago today. Amazingly, that game did not go to overtime. The combined 320 points set an NBA record for the most points scored by two teams in a non-overtime game. ESPNClassic actually replayed this game last Sunday (and often does); it’s quite a game to watch.
Back to Boston very quickly. On this day in basketball history in 1946, Red Auerbach made his coaching debut with the Washington Capitals, which beat the Detroit Falcons 50-33 (and no, this was not a Big-Ten grinder). Auerbach would of course go on to coach the Boston Celtics to nine championships; a record that the late great shared in disdain with former Chicago Bulls’ and current Los Angeles Lakers’ Head Coach Phil Jackson, whose team is absolutely destroying the Phoenix Suns right now.
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