Todd Barin
Web Editorial Associate
The Wolves are back on American soil this Sunday after looking a little shaky in the Canada Series. After tallying their first preseason win on Wednesday, the Timberwolves will visit the undefeated Memphis Grizzles.
Here are some things to keep an eye out for as the Wolves try to bring home their second preseason victory.
The Wolves dropped two out of three games to the Grizzlies last season but all were competitive. Losing the two games by a combined eight points was a promising sign for the inexperienced Wolves. In a close game from start to finish, the Grizzlies took advantage of Kevin Garnett getting ejected from the game early in the third quarter. Gasol finished 11-14 from the field with 27 points and 11 boards. Despite causing twice as many turnovers and shooting 24 more times, the Wolves couldn’t keep up with the Grizzlies’ hot hands. The Grizzlies netted 60 percent of their shots and a game-clinching 3-pointer from Conley with 30 seconds left in the game. Conley was consistent all game and tallied 17 points with four assists. Jeff Green got into a little foul trouble but eventually finished with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Despite the loss, the Timberwolves had some good things to take away from the home game. Wiggins continued his dominant rookie campaign scoring 25 points and collecting four boards in 41 minutes. Rubio also had a solid game as he was three rebounds away from a triple double (13/7/10). Rubio and Kevin Martin, however, struggled heavily shooting the ball, only going a combined 8-for-30. Gary Neal was a nice spark off the bench providing 16 points in 21 minutes.
A win! The Timberwolves beat the Raptors in the final game of the Canada Series by coming from behind and putting 29 points up in the fourth quarter. Statistically it wasn’t a pretty game on either side. Wiggins struggled throughout the game with multi-faceted DeMarre Carroll riding his hip for a majority of the game. Gorgui Dieng shot well and put up 14 points. Towns and Jones both shot 4-for-7 from the field and finished with 12 points. The player with the highest plus/minus was none other than Bjelica, hauling in seven rebounds and scoring eight points.
The Grizzlies continued their winning ways in the preseason by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night 94-78. OKC took this game to rest some players as the most recognizable name in their starting lineup was Dion Waiters. Memphis played well nonetheless and held the Thunder to 36 percent from the field while collecting 11 more rebounds. JaMychal Green was the game’s star with 18 points and six rebounds. Ryan Hollins, a familiar name for Wolves fans, shot 6-for-6 and finished with an uncharacteristic 16 points. Both Green and Russ Smith put in 15 for the Grizzlies who were up 17 at half.
Matching up against Enes Kanter and Jonas Valanciunas is one thing, but going against a two-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year is a whole different task. Towns will need to be ready for an extremely tough matchup as that’s exactly what he is going to get from Gasol.
Gasol torched the Wolves last season averaging 25 points and eight rebounds through three games. Gasol has always had a soft touch around the rim throughout his career and his 51 percent field goal percentage is evidence of that. One thing Gasol is attempting to incorporate in his arsenal is a three point shot. Practicing threes in practice according to reports and taking 17 last season, the most in his career, is something to watch out for this season.
Playing more than 20 minutes in each of the four preseason games thus far, Towns has looked sharp- putting up double digit points and gathering more than five boards in three of the four games. Going against Gasol will be an early and difficult test for the Kentucky big man as he gives up 20 pounds to the Spaniard. Not truly playing the center position in college, and having yet to go against a dominant big-man, the Towns-Gasol matchup is a must-watch.
Grizzlies: Beno Udrih (ankle) is probable and Jordan Adams (knee) is questionable. Jarell Martin (foot) is out.
Wolves: Rubio (quadriceps) is probable. Pekovic (ankle) is out.
Grizzlies: PG- Conley, SG- Lee, SF- Green, PF- Randolph, C- Gasol
Wolves: PG- Miller, SG- Wiggins, SF- Prince, PF- Garnett, C- Towns
