Thursday, Oracle Arena Wolves at Warriors, 9:30 p.m.TNT, 830 WCCO
Why you should watch:
This is the final game of a three-game road trip for the Wolves and it won’t be
easy. It turns out a team with Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and
Draymond Green is really, really good.
Fun fact: The Wolves are one of four teams to beat the Warriors in 2015-16 and
2016-17. The other three are the Lakers, Celtics and Spurs.
Andrew Wiggins has been hot for the Wolves over the last three games, averaging
31 points while shooting 57.6 percent from the field. Minnesota has been without
Jimmy Butler during those three games. He’s questionable in this one with a knee
injury.
This is a nationally broadcasted game on TNT. And while we love, love, love Dave
Benz and Jim Petersen, it’s always interesting to hear the national opinions on
the Wolves.
Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m., so chug that extra-caffeinated drink around 9:03.
Opposing player I’ll be watching:
Remember when we wondered how Kevin Durant would fit in with the Warriors when
he signed there before last season? That turned out to be a stupid question.
Durant has fit in effortlessly and in his second season with the club and 11th
overall, he’s averaging 25.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and a career-high 5.6 assists
per game.
He’s coming off a game in which he dished out a career-high 14 assists against
the Knicks in just 32 minutes before getting ejected.
Crazy thing is, Durant is only 29. He’s still getting better. And he has the
ability to play shooting guard, small forward, and as we saw last year in the
NBA Finals, center. He’s a bad man.
Injuries:
Warriors: Thompson (gluteus) is probable. Patrick McCaw (back) and Jordan Bell
(ankle) are out.
Wolves: Butler (knee) is questionable.
Starting Lineups:
Warriors: PG – Curry, SG – Thompson, SF – Durant, PF – Green, C – Pachulia
Wolves: PG – Teague, SG – Wiggins, SF – Bjelica, PF – Gibson, C – Towns
Player: Jimmy Butler
Player: Taj Gibson
Player: Jeff Teague
Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
Player: Andrew Wiggins
Player: Stephen Curry
Player: Kevin Durant
Player: Draymond Green
Player: Zaza Pachulia
Player: Klay Thompson
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/scouting-report-wolves-warriors-4
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson,
Jeff Teague, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant,
Draymond Green, Zaza Pachulia, Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota
Timberwolves
Media Thumbnail:
http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/timberwolves/sites/default/files/wiggins-1-25-201
8-2.jpg
Taxonomy: Scouting Report
Story Link: http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/scouting-report-wolves-warriors-4
