Wednesday Wolves vs. Thunder, 7:00 p.m.ESPN, FS North, 830 WCCO
Why you should be at Target Center:
This marks the third-straight home game for the Wolves as part of a five-game
stretch. If you were lucky enough to be at Monday’s game, my goodness. What a
win over LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
And somehow, this game might be more important as far as the standings go.
The Wolves are fourth in the West at 26-16, while the Thunder are 22-19, sixth
and 3.5 games back from Minnesota. Minnesota is 2-1 against Oklahoma City this
season and a win would give the Wolves the tiebreaker if it would come down to
that at the end of the season.
The Target Center has been sold out for four-straight games. I’d be surprised if
it wasn’t five after tonight with Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul
George going up against Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
The games this season between the two teams have been decided by an average of
three points, which basically guarantees the last minute of this game will be an
intense one.
Minnesota has won its last two games while Oklahoma City has dropped its last
two, including last night at home against Portland.
If the Wolves can grab a win, they’ll be just 1.5 games back from the Spurs for
third place in the West.
Opposing player I’ll be watching:
As much as I want to say anyone but Russell Westbrook, the basketball bones in
my body won’t allow me to do that.
Last year’s MVP seems to have adjusted to having George and Anthony in the
lineup. He’s averaging 24.8 points, a league-leading 10.1 assists and 9.6
rebounds per game. Wait, he’s only 0.4 rebounds per game away from a
triple-double and we’re not talking about him as an MVP candidate?!
Conversation for another time.
Jeff Teague has been upgraded to questionable for the Wolves, but even if he
does play, it’s hard to see him play a whole lot of minutes. There’s a good
chance the Wolves take a team-approach defense with Westbrook, much like most
teams do and what the Wolves have done this season with him.
Injuries:
Thunder: Andre Roberson (knee) is out.
Wolves: Teague (knee) is questionable.
Starting Lineups:
Thunder: PG – Westbrook, SG – Ferguson, SF – George, PF – Anthony, C – Adams
Wolves: PG – Jones, SG – Wiggins, SF – Butler, PF – Gibson, C – Towns
Player: Jimmy Butler
Player: Jeff Teague
Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
Player: Andrew Wiggins
Player: Carmelo Anthony
Player: Terrance Ferguson
Player: Paul George
Player: Russell Westbrook
Media Content:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/scouting-report-wolves-thunder-1-10-2018
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague,
Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Carmelo Anthony, Terrance Ferguson, Paul
George, Russell Westbrook, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder
Media Thumbnail:
http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/timberwolves/sites/default/files/sr-1-10-2018.jpg
Taxonomy: Scouting Report
Story Link:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/scouting-report-wolves-thunder-1-10-2018
