The talk at Thursday's shootaround before the Wolves took on the Pacers was focused on two former UCLA wings and first-round picks.
The first was Shabazz Muhammad who has been hot off Minnesota's bench for the last month. In 11 games in January, Muhammad is averaging 11.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, the highest of any month this season.
In the month, he's shooting 53.5 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from the 3-point in 27 attempts.
“The last month he's played very well,” Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said after Thursday's shootaround. “I think he's gotten into shape, I think he feels good, I think he's put a lot of extra work in, particularly shooting the ball, I think his confidence is very strong. Defensively, he's making strides.”
In his last two games, Muhammad is averaging 18 points and four rebounds while shooting a combined 15-for-23 from the field and 4-for-8 from the 3-point line.
He'll look to continue that tonight against Indiana.
Wolves starting shooting guard Zach LaVine revealed that he will not participate in this year's Slam Dunk Contest in New Orleans at All-Star Weekend.
LaVine is a back-to-back champion and it'd probably be fair to say that he had a huge part in making the contest relevant again. This year, though, he will focus on getting rest and help getting the Wolves into playoff position.
“It's just a different mindset,” LaVine said. “I feel like I've accomplished everything I could in the dunk contest. It's gonna be hard for me to go back and outdo myself. I'm not saying I won't ever do it again, but I'm focused on this year. We're getting close to being able to make the playoffs and we have that in our mind. Getting the rest and I guess focusing on just the game is the big thing.”
Muhammad and LaVine will try to help the Wolves win their fourth straight game tonight and their seventh in the last nine games. Tipoff against Indiana is set for 7 p.m. at the Target Center. The game will air on FOX Sports North and WCCO-830 AM.
