Last Updated: Jan. 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Matchup
After a disappointing loss in Philadelphia on Saturday night, the Pacers (15-24) return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday to host the Minnesota Timberwolves (5-31).
The T-Wolves head to Indy mired in a 15-game losing streak, having not tasted the fruits of victory since a 90-82 win over Portland on Dec. 10. Minnesota hasn't won a road game since defeating the Lakers in Los Angeles on Nov. 28.
For the Pacers, Tuesday's contest is, quite frankly, one that a team with playoff ambitions should win. After a brutal December schedule, the Blue & Gold have faced a more manageable slate to open the New Year. And while they have slowly gained ground on Miami and Brooklyn (the teams currently occupying the last two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference), Indiana dropped a pair of winnable games in the past week, falling in the final seconds on the road against both the Lakers and 76ers.
The Pacers shot just 33 percent in Saturday's 93-92 loss at Philadelphia, one night after connecting on only 37 percent of their shots in a home win over Boston. If they need to rediscover themselves on the offensive end, the Timberwolves might be the perfect opponent. Indiana shot 50 percent for the first time all season in a 100-96 win at Minnesota on Dec. 21, then went on to replicate the feat in their next three contests.
Minnesota has been ravaged by injuries this year. Point guard Ricky Rubio, shooting guard Kevin Martin, and center Nikola Pekovic — arguably the team's best three players — are all sidelined indefinitely.
The Timberwolves also traded starting forward Corey Brewer to Houston on Dec. 19, a move which has allowed them to give more playing time to 2014 top overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins and second-year forward Shabazz Muhammad. Wiggins averages a team-high 14.4 points per games, while Muhammad is not far behind at 13.7 points per contest.
Projected Starters
C.J. Watson
Rodney Stuckey
Solomon Hill
David West
Roy Hibbert
Mo Williams
Andrew Wiggins
Chase Budinger
Thaddeus Young
Gorgui Dieng
Pacers: PG - C.J. Watson, SG - Rodney Stuckey, SF - Solomon Hill, PF - David West, C - Roy Hibbert
Timberwolves: PG - Mo Williams, SG - Andrew Wiggins, SF - Chase Budinger, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Gorgui Dieng
Injury Report
Pacers: Paul George - out (rehabilitation, fractured right tibia/fibula), George Hill - out (left groin strain), Rodney Stuckey - questionable (food poisoning)
Timberwolves: Kevin Martin - out (fractured right wrist), Shabazz Muhammad - questionable (lower abdominal soreness), Nikola Pekovic - out (sore right ankle and sprained right wrist), Ricky Rubio - out (sprained left ankle)
You Can Quote Me On That
"(Minnesota is) a young, athletic team. Obviously, (we've got to) take care of the ball, not let them get out and run and use that athleticism." -C.J. Miles on the keys to beating the Timberwolves
"We had some guys in unfamiliar spots the other night. That said, we just didn't execute well enough down the stretch, particularly late." -David West on Saturday's loss in Philadelphia
"We lost a game we should have won in Philadelphia, but (we were) 3-2 before that in a tough stretch of our schedule, battling injuries. I like the way we're playing." -Pacers head coach Frank Vogel
Last Meeting
December 21, 2014: The Pacers snapped an eight-game road losing streak with a 100-96 win over the Timberwolves at the Target Center.
Indiana had led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, but Minnesota battled back, eventually taking a 90-89 lead on Mo Williams' 3-pointer with 2:50 to play. The Pacers responded, ultimately winning the game on David West's jumper with 34.3 seconds remaining that broke a 94-94 tie.
C.J. Miles led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting, while Roy Hibbert added 15 points and eight rebounds. Williams had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead Minnesota.
Noteworthy
- Indiana leads the overall series with Minnesota, 31-17, including a 20-4 record at home.
- The home team has won nine of the past 11 meetings between the two teams. The Pacers have won five straight games against the Timberwolves at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Minnesota hasn't won in Indianapolis since a 116-111 victory on Feb. 3, 2009.
- The Timberwolves have allowed their opponent to score 100 or more points in 30 of their 36 games this season. Minnesota has won just one of those 30 games.
Broadcast Information
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5/1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers host Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m. Good seats still remain for that game. Find Tickets »
Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special
50% off Jerseys. Game Night Specials can be purchased in Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Please shop online also at PacersGear.com.
Good Luck Colts Banner
Before doors open tonight and through halftime, we will have a “Good Luck Colts” banner for fans to sign at the top of sections 1 & 20. On Thursday, this banner will be on display on the Pennsylvania Street side of the building to show our support for the Colts.