Post by DiamondThief on Nov 29, 2014 22:31:16 GMT -8
Minnesota Timberwolves at Portland Trail Blazers
What: The Timberwolves make their first appearance of the season in the Rose City to take on the Blazers.
When: Sunday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m.
Timberwolves Media: TV - FS North; Radio - 830 WCCO
Blazers Media: TV - CSNNW; Radio - Rip City Radio 620 AM.
Note: Timberwolves guard Mo Williams makes his first return to Portland after playing for the Blazers last season.
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The Timberwolves (4-10, 2-5 on the road) are coming off a 120-119 road win over the Lakers on Nov. 28. They are led by guard Mo Williams, forward Thaddeus Young and center Nikola Pekovic. The Timberwolves are averaging 101.4 points (14th in the NBA) and giving up 110.4 (26th). The Blazers (12-4, 8-2 at home) are coming off a 112-99 home loss to the Grizzlies on Nov. 30. They are led by power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, point guard Damian Lillard and shooting guard Wesley Matthews. The Blazers are averaging 104.1 points (seventh) and giving up 96.4 (sixth).
Blazers' Damian Lillard; Timberwolves Corey Brewer
Minnesota Timberwolves
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 22 Andrew Wiggins
PF - 33 Thaddeus Young
C - 5 Gorgui Dieng
SG - 13 Corey Brewer
PG - 25 Mo Williams
RESERVES
G - 8 Zach LaVine; 1 Glenn Robinson
F - 12 Jeff Adrien; 24 Anthony Bennett; 10 Chase Budinger; 4 Robbie Hummel; 15 Shabazz Muhammad
C - 14 Nikola Pekovic; 32 Ronny Turiaf
INJURY REPORT
G - 9 Ricky Rubio (ankle) - out
G - 23 Kevin Martin (wrist) - out
C - 14 Nikola Pekovic (wrist) - questionable
C - 32 Ronny Turiaf (hip) - questionable
HEAD COACH
Flip Saunders
STATISTICAL LEADERS (per game)
Points - Kevin Martin 20.4
Rebounds - Nikola Pekovic 8.1
Assists - Ricky Rubio 10.0
Blocks - Gorgui Dieng 1.5
Steals - Corey Brewer 2.1
FG% - Kevin Martin 48.3
3PT% - Kevin Martin 48.1
FT% - Nikola Pekovic 88.6
Portland Trail Blazers
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 88 Nicolas Batum
PF - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge
C - 42 Robin Lopez
SG - 2 Wesley Matthews
PG - 0 Damian Lillard
RESERVES
G - 5 Will Barton; 25 Steve Blake; 23 Allen Crabbe
F - 18 Victor Claver; 41 Thomas Robinson; 1 Dorell Wright
C - 19 Joel Freeland; 35 Chris Kaman; 11 Meyers Leonard
INJURIES
G - 3 CJ McCollum (finger) - out
G - 0 Damian Lillard (gastroenteritis) - probable
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
STATISTICAL LEADERS (per game)
Points - LaMarcus Aldridge 21.1
Rebounds - LaMarcus Aldridge 9.2
Assists - Damian Lillard 6.7
Blocks - Robin Lopez 1.6
Steals - Damian Lillard 1.4
FG% - Robin Lopez 55.0
3PT% - Meyers Leonard 57.1
FT% - Damian Lillard 91.4
Angi's Take
One only needs to compare the Timberwolves' injury report to their statistical leaders to see that they are missing some key pieces, including Rubio, Martin and potentially Pekovic. They are in full rebuild mode after sending Kevin Love to the Cavaliers in an off-season trade. Still, they were scrappy in a one-point win Friday night over the Lakers in Los Angeles. Former Blazer Williams shot 8-13 from the field, including 6-8 from behind the three-point line in the win. LeVine, a rookie, scored a career-high 28 points off the bench in 25-and-a-half minutes. Young is not much of a challenge for Aldridge, but he has averaged over 20 points in his last four games. Batum should not have any problem with the rookie Wiggins. Brewer has had some solid nights against the Blazers in the past, Budinger has the potential to knock down the three at nearly any time and Bennett, the first pick in the 2013 draft by the Cavaliers, will see some substantial minutes. The Blazers will try to break their recent pattern of falling behind in the first half and trying to come back in the second. While that worked in each of the games on their recent three-game road trip, it was unsuccessful Friday night against the Grizzlies as they saw their nine-game winning streak snapped. Matthews has scored 28 and 26 points in his last two games, respectively, including going 7-11 from behind the arc against the Grizzlies. Aldridge has shot poorly the past couple of games, but this could be a good match up for him to get back on track. Lillard is probable with an illness, but unlikely to let it get in the way of playing. Kaman was spectacular off the bench against the Grizzlies, going for 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. He could have some major success against the Timberwolves' depleted front line. The Blazers can win this if they resist the urge to overlook their opponent and get solid production from their bench. Matchup to Watch: Damian Lillard vs. Mo Williams.
Officials
Michael Smith, Scott Twardoski, James Williams
Quotable
Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders on building off their win over the Lakers: "We're a young team. They're trying to build on things. I think what it does is gives them a little bit of confidence to know that if you play hard and you try to play the right way and you share the basketball that you can have some success."
Blazers guard Wesley Matthews on bouncing back from the loss to the Grizzlies: "It's just one game. We can't let this set us back like it's the end of the world. The beauty of the NBA? ... We've got another game."
Featured Tweets
Extra
Blazers fan Amber Sweeney will perform the National Anthem at the game.
Match-Up Meme
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Graphic courtesy of David.