9:30 p.m., Moda Center
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO
The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to ride their late-season surge into a third-straight win on Saturday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Wolves go into the game with a 27-52 record, good for 13th in the West.
The Blazers are fighting for playoff position, sitting at 43-37, a half game above the Memphis Grizzlies for the fifth seed.
A few tidbits heading into Saturday night’s game:
- The Wolves are hoping to avoid the four-game season sweep against the Blazers.
- If Portland has the fifth seed, it will play the Los Angeles Clippers. With the sixth seed, it would play the Oklahoma City Thunder. Pick your poison.
- This marks the final road game of the season for the Wolves. The Wolves are 14-26 on the road this season.
Coming Off Of…
The Wolves are coming off of a 105-97 road win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, completing the four-game season sweep. Gorgui Dieng finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Nemanja Bjelica added 18 off the bench – 12 coming from the 3-point line. Zach LaVine also scored 18 points. Karl-Anthony Towns had another double-double, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins and Shabazz Muhammad finished with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Blazers are coming off of a home 120-115 win over the Thunder on Wednesday. Al-Farouq Aminu led the way with 27 points while C.J. McCollum added 26. Allen Crabbe led the second unit with 16 points, 12 coming from the 3-point line. Mo Harkless finished with 14 points. Damian Lillard and Mason Plumlee added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Last Matchup:
The two teams last matched up on Jan. 31 in Portland. The Blazers came away with a 96-93 win thanks to 21 points from McCollum and Lillard. Meyers Leonard and Gerald Henderson led the bench with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Towns led the Wolves with 21 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Wiggins and Ricky Rubio finished with 15 points each, while LaVine led the second unit with 14 points. Dieng added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Key Matchup: Zach LaVine vs. C.J. McCollum
Both of these players can score in a hurry if they’re hot. It’s been a great season for McCollum, who is averaging a career-high 20.9 points while shooting 42 percent from the 3-point line. It seemed all the 24-year-old guard needed was an opportunity.
LaVine has also played better given the opportunity, averaging 13.9 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from the 3-point line. All numbers up from his rookie season.
If these two players get hot, things should get pretty exciting in Portland.
Injuries:
Portland: Leonard (shoulder) is out.
Minnesota: Kevin Garnett (knee) and Nikola Pekovic (foot) are out.
Projected Starters:
Portland: PG- Lillard, SG – McCollum, SF – Aminu, PF – Harkless, C - Plumlee
Minnesota: PG- Rubio, SG- LaVine, SF- Wiggins, PF- Towns, C- Dieng