Scouting Report: Wolves (18-19) vs. Kings (13-23) | Jan. 15, 2014
Timberwolves vs. Kings | 7:00 PM — Target Center
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO-AM
The Kings sit near the bottom of the Western Conference, but have won three of their last four games. The talent on Sacramento is there, but it’s an interesting match with players such as Rudy Gay, Derrick Williams, DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas on the roster.
The entertainment factor is certainly there for the Kings team, and they’ll hope to entertain themselves with a win against the Wolves on Wednesday night. Minnesota hopes to get back to .500 and start a push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The team has gone up-and-down since the first month of the season and with the conference being as tough as it is, that won’t be goo enough for a playoff spot.
Sacramento will be a little bit fatigued, as it’s coming off of a game against the Indiana Pacers last night. This marks the first matchup between the teams since Minnesota sent Williams to Sacramento for Luc Mbah a Moute.
Last Meeting
The Wolves were 2-1 against the Kings last season. The last game came on March 21 of last season and Minnesota fell on the road, 101-98.
Isaiah Thomas led Sacramento with 24 points, shooting 3-of-6 from the 3-point line. Tyreke Evans (now with Pelicans) added 21 points. Big man DeMarcus Cousins had a double-double, scoring 15 points and hauling in 14 rebounds. John Salmons (now with Raptors) added 13 points and Patrick Patterson (now with Raptors) added 11 off the bench. The Kings shot 53.3 percent from the field.
Wolves Minute
Jan. 15, 2014
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Kevin Love was out for the game. Nikola Pekovic led Minnesota with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Derrick Williams (now with Kings), Ricky Rubio and Dante Cunningham all scored 12 points. Despite the loss, Minnesota’s bench was impressive scoring 45 of the team’s 98 points.
This Week’s Results
The Wolves are coming off of a 104-86 loss at the hands of the always-tough San Antonio Spurs.
Pekovic led Minnesota with 22 points while shooting 10-of-15 from the field. Other than that, though, things were pretty bleak for Minnesota. Love and Kevin Martin combined for just 20 points, shooting 5-of-26. Love finished with 14 points and Alexey Shved led the bench with 11 points.
In its last five games, the Wolves are 2-3.
Sacramento fell on the road last night to the Indiana Pacers, 116-92, snapping the team’s three-game win steak.
Cousins led the Kings with 31 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 12-of-21 from the field. Gay was the only other player to hit double-digits for the Kings, scoring 12 points. Sacramento’s bench contributed 34 points. The team struggled at the free-throw line, shooting just 58.8 percent (10-17).
The Kings are 3-2 in their last five games.
What To Watch: Nikola Pekovic vs. DeMarcus Cousins
These are perhaps two of the league’s best centers, although their games are plenty different.
Pekovic, 28, is a bruiser inside and doesn’t look nimble, but the big fella has some touch inside with a beautiful baby hook shot. Pek is averaging 18.3 points per game to go with 9.2 rebounds. Both marks are career highs. Rick Adelman noted earlier in the week that he thinks Pekovic has made one of the biggest leaps in the NBA and all of the credit goes to him for constantly working on his game.
His matchup on Wednesday will be Cousins. The former Kentucky center has never had his talent questioned, but his attitude has been a red flag from time-to-time. He’s also having a career year, averaging 23.5 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. All mark career highs for the 23-year-old center. His game revolves a lot around him running the court and being physical inside. Being physical inside against Pekovic? That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun now does it?
Injury Report
The Wolves appear to be at full strength.
Forward Carl Landry (hip) is expected to miss another three months for the Kings.
Probable Starters