Lately, Michael Olowokandi has been racking up foul calls faster than Kobe Bryant is accruing frequent flier miles.
Olowokandi was productive in 33 minutes in the series opener: 10 points, 11 rebounds, 4 fouls.
But he logged just 33 minutes total in Games 2, 3 and 4: 0 points, 6 rebounds, 13 fouls. That?s an average of one foul every two minutes and thirty-two seconds.
So enough was enough. Wolves coach Flip Saunders angrily disputed the unfair treatment of his big center in Game 5 and got hit with a technical foul.
And just when it seemed that everything was going against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Candy Man in Game 5 ? with the Lakers making a strong push to come all the way back and take the series ? the referees called Shaqille O?Neal for a three-second violation on a crucial possession that turned the tide of the game back in the Wolves? favor. Fred Hoiberg hit a big three-point shot on the Wolves? ensuing possession and the game was in the W column.
Olowokandi tallied 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in Game 5. He will start at center again in Game 6.