Here is what you need to know before the Lakers visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.
1)
Jeremy Lin has been searching for consistency all season, and it seems that he may have finally found some. Lin has scored 48 points in his last two games combined, his most in back-to-back contests since dropping 65 in November 2013. However, Lin also struggled through the second half of Tuesday’s game against Oklahoma City, missing both of his shots in 12 minutes played.
Jeremy Lin Shot Chart (Last Two Games)
2)
Having erupted for a career-high 30 points on Tuesday, Jordan Clarkson currently ranks second among rookies in scoring this season with 10.0 points per game. The Missouri product has fared well recently, reaching or exceeding his average in 13 of the Lakers’ 16 tilts after the all-star game.
3)
Paul Pressey will once again serve as acting head coach of the Lakers. Pressey, who has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 1992, manned the reigns in Tuesday’s game and looks to lead the team to a win before Byron Scott returns on Friday against Toronto.
4)
All season long, the Timberwolves have been plagued by injuries, which have cost them a combined 238 missed games and led to 26 different starting lineups. However, Minnesota may currently be in its worst medical shape of the season: Shabazz Muhammad (ruptured ligament in right middle finger), Anthony Bennett (sprained right ankle) and Robbie Hummel (fractured right hand) will not play; Nikola Pekovic (sore right ankle), Gary Neal (sprained right ankle) and Justin Hamilton (illness) are doubtful; and Ricky Rubio (sore right ankle), Kevin Garnett (sore left knee) and Kevin Martin (strained left hamstring) are questionable.
5)
One of the few Timberwolves who is healthy also happens to be the cornerstone for Minnesota’s future. Andrew Wiggins is at the forefront in the Rookie of the Year race, as he leads all first-year players in minutes (35.3) and scoring (15.8). However, the No. 1 overall pick hasn’t fared well against the Lakers so far, as he has scored a combined 19 points on 5-for-18 shooting in his first two games against L.A.
6)
Minnesota assistant coach Sidney Lowe has been connected with Wiggins’ family through basketball since 12 years before the rookie was even born. In 1983, Lowe was traded along with a second-round draft pick from Chicago to Indiana. In return, the Bulls received a rookie shooting guard from Florida State: Wiggins’ father, Mitchell.
7)
Zach LaVine has put on some electrifying performances in his rookie year, like winning the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest and dropping a career-high 28 points against the Lakers on Nov. 28. The UCLA product has also found some consistency with his team needing offense, averaging 19.3 points on 43.2 percent shooting over his last three games.
8)
After spending more than seven years with Boston and Brooklyn, Garnett has returned to Minnesota, where he spent the first 12 seasons of his career. The greatest player in franchise history, Garnett leads all current and former Timberwolves in games (932), points (19,079), rebounds (10,568), assists (4,154), steals (1,287) and blocks (1,580). If he plays against the Lakers, the 38-year-old will also pass Kevin Willis for the fifth-most games by any NBA player.
9)
Minnesota has struggled to slow down its opponents, allowing a league-worst 105.8 points per game. The Timberwolves’ defense has been poor in efficiency as well as volume, as they allow their foes to shoot an NBA-high 48.5 percent of their shots.
10)
The biggest hole in Minnesota’s defense has been down low. The Timberwolves allow opponents to shoot a league-high 57.3 percent at the rim, while also yielding the most baskets there (13.4). Furthermore, Minnesota is conceding 47.9 points in the paint, which is also the most in the NBA.