Wolves vs. Nuggets, 7 p.m.Target CenterFox Sports North Plus, 830 WCCO
Why you should be there:
This is it, Wolves fans.
A win for either team gets them in the playoffs (seed yet to be determined),
while a loss keeps them out.
Props to the schedule makers for this one.
Both teams go into the game with a 46-35 record. The Wolves have a 2-1 series
lead over the Nuggets. The lone loss came last Thursday in Denver without Jimmy
Butler.
Butler was the key character in the team’s previous wins over Denver this
season, scoring 25 points in an eight-point win on Dec. 20 and scoring 39 points
in a three-point overtime win on Dec. 27.
It’s safe to say he’ll play a big role in tonight’s game. In two games since his
return, Butler has played right around 23 minutes and is averaging 16.5 points.
We’ll have plenty of content up throughout the day, and had a boat load
yesterday. One thing to watch for is the availability of Taj Gibson, who is
officially listed as questionable with a neck injury.
Opposing player I’ll be watching:
Nikola Jokic has been Denver’s motor this season and is averaging 23.7 points,
13.3 rebounds and 8.2 assists during the team’s six-game winning streak.
It’ll be up to Karl-Anthony Towns to slow The Joker down.
In three games against Minnesota this season, Jokic has been held in check,
averaging 20 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while shooting just
39.5 percent from the field.
Meanwhile, Towns has averaged 21.7 points and 12 rebounds while shooting a
scorching 61.4 percent from the field and 60 percent from the 3-point line. One
thing to watch with Towns, though, is his fouls. He’s had 14 over those three
games, including fouling out with six last Thursday. The best ability is
availability, and the Wolves will absolutely need him in this one.
Injuries:
Nuggets: Tyler Lydon (knee) is out.
Wolves: Gibson (neck) is questionable. Justin Patton (illness) is doubtful.
Starting Lineups:
Nuggets: PG – Murray, SG – Barton, SF – Chandler, PF – Millsap, C – Jokic
Wolves: PG – Teague, SG – Butler, SF – Wiggins, PF – Gibson, C – Towns
Player: Jimmy Butler
Player: Taj Gibson
Player: Justin Patton
Player: Jeff Teague
Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
Player: Andrew Wiggins
Player: Will Barton
Player: Wilson Chandler
Player: Nikola Jokic
Player: Tyler Lydon
Player: Paul Millsap
Player: Jamal Murray
Media Content:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/scouting-report-wolves-nuggets-4-11-2018
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson,
Justin Patton, Jeff Teague, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Will Barton,
Wilson Chandler, Nikola Jokic, Tyler Lydon, Paul Millsap, Jamal Murray, Denver
Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves
Media Thumbnail:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/sites/timberwolves/files/sr-4-11-2018.jpg
Taxonomy: Scouting Report
Story Link:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/scouting-report-wolves-nuggets-4-11-2018
