7:00 p.m., FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO
The Minnesota Timberwolves are back in action on Friday night for the first time in eight days after a very successful All-Star Break.
Minnesota’s young stars showed their skills this past weekend bringing home the Skills Challenge title (Karl-Anthony Towns), the Slam Dunk title (Zach LaVine) and the Rising Stars MVP award (LaVine).
The Timberwolves will travel to Memphis tonight to take on the 31-22 Grizzlies, who look a lot different compared to the last time these two teams matched up.
Minnesota has won three out of their last four games; so keep these tidbits in mind before tuning in to the action tonight:
Coming Off Of…
A nice long break. Both teams come into this game well rested after a week devoted to All-Star festivities.
Minnesota will take the court after turning in one of their best performances of the season as they took down the Eastern Conference powerhouse Toronto Raptors. The Timberwolves came from behind last Wednesday, Feb. 10, to take down the Raptors 117-112. The two first overall selections in the last two NBA Drafts took over as Andrew Wiggins put up 26 points to go along with Towns’ 35 points and 11 boards. The Timberwolves did a nice job containing All-Star Kyle Lowry and played like a veteran team down the stretch to take home the W.
The Grizzlies played with some anger after hearing that their center would be out for some time and beat the Nets 109-90 on Feb. 10th. Mike Conley played efficiently scoring 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Jeff Green, no longer on the team, contributed nicely off the bench with 18 points and Randolph had 15 points with six assists.
Last Matchup:
The series is tied at one so far this season, but Minnesota won their most recent game on Jan. 23, 106-101. Mario Chalmers killed the Wolves with 19 points to go along with five assists, but luckily Shabazz Muhammad had one of his best games of the season by putting up 25 points and shooting better than 50 percent. Ricky Rubio had a phenomenal game on both ends of the court; holding Conley to nine points on 2-of-9 shooting, and tallying a double-double himself with 15 points and 12 assists.
Key Matchup: Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Zach Randolph
Both teams have changed quite a bit since their last game that was less than a month ago. Memphis brought in Anderson and Stephenson, shipped Green, and lost Gasol for a couple of months. Minnesota’s roster looks the same but the always-changing starting lineup seems to be taking form as Towns and Dieng seem to have a great chemistry both on and off the court.
With that being said and the Grizzlies now playing small, Towns will most likely body-up Z-Bo (Randolph). Standing 6’9 and weighing 260 pounds, Randolph isn’t known to be very light on his feet, so look for Towns to take advantage of his lack-of-agility, and play outside in against the slower big-man. Randolph has the more polished low-post game, but Towns should have a big night if he uses his athleticism and quickness correctly.
Injuries:
Memphis: Gasol (foot) and Jordan Adams (knee) are out. Stephenson (hip), Anderson (knee) and Wright (knee) are all questionable.
Minnesota: Nemanja Bjelica (foot), Garnett (leg) and Pekovic (foot) are out. Kevin Martin (wrist) is probable.
Projected Starters:
Memphis: PG- Conley, SG- Lee, SF- Allen, PF- Green, C- Randolph
Minnesota: PG- Rubio, SG- LaVine, SF- Wiggins, PF- Dieng, C- Towns
