Timberwolves vs. 76ers | 7:00 PM — Target Center
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO
Finally, the new-look Wolves are back in Minneapolis. And they are facing off against some familiar faces.
In case you’ve been living underneath a rock, the Wolves made a blockbuster trade this summer. The trade sent Alexey Shved and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute to Philadelphia and Thaddeus Young to Minnesota.
While it’s a meaningless game on paper, there’s still a lot of work for both of these teams to do. Philadelphia is one of the youngest teams in all of basketball. The goal for the 76ers is to see who will make the final cut and who could earn rotation minutes heading into the season.
For the Wolves, it’s another chance for the traded players, along with rookie Zach LaVine, to get more familiar with Flip Saunders’ scheme and the NBA.
The final score in this one won’t be all that important as both Brett Brown and Saunders are trying to develop young talent and more so for the Wolves, meshing them with some of the already proven veterans.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The game will air on Fox Sports North and 830 WCCO. WCCO will be broadcasting live from 6-7 p.m. in the team’s Skyway Studios leading up to the game.
If you’re interested in tickets, head here.
Last Meeting
The two teams faced off twice last season and the Wolves came away with two wins, the last coming on Jan. 6 at the Wells Fargo Center. Minnesota defeated the 76ers 126-95 behind 26 points from Kevin Love (now with Cavaliers). Kevin Martin added 18, shooting 3-of-4 from the 3-point line. Big man Nikola Pekovic finished with 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Corey Brewer and J.J. Barea contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively. Dante Cunningham (now a free-agent) and Shved scored 10 points each off the bench.
[[{"fid":"22895","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"TSR Injury Report","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"TSR Injury Report"},"type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"TSR Injury Report","title":"TSR Injury Report","style":"float: right;","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]This Week’s Results
Young led Philly with 20 points, shooting 2-of-4 from the 3-point line. James Anderson (no longer in NBA) added 14 points and seven boards off the bench. Michael Carter-Williams and Evan Turner (now with Celtics)
scored 13 points each.
The 76ers are coming off of a 106-92 road win over the Charlotte Hornets. Tony Wroten led the way with 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Casper Ware led the second unit with 13 points, while Brandon Davies pitched in 13 as well. Elliot Williams was 3-for-5 from deep and finished with 12 points. Shved had 11 points in 23 minutes. Nerlens Noel, who did not play during his rookie year due to a knee injury, finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Michael Carter-Williams and Joel Embiid did not play.
Philadelphia played Boston on Monday and fell 98-78.
The Wolves are coming off of a 103-90 road loss to the Indiana Pacers in their preseason opener. Rookie Andrew Wiggins had a strong night, finishing with a game-high 18 points to go with four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a steal. Center Gorgui Dieng added 16 points and a game-high 10 boards. Young finished with 12 points in 18 minutes of play. Brewer added 10 points and three rebounds. The Wolves shot just 37 percent from the field.
What To Watch: Thaddeus Young vs. Luc Mbah a Moute
When it comes to starting players in preseason play, really, it’s anyone’s guess. Mbah a Moute and Young did start the first preseason game for their respective teams. And both players played for the opposition last season before being a part of the Kevin Love deal that sent Young to Minnesota and Mbah a Moute to Philadelphia.
Both players focus a lot on defense, but there’s no arguing that Young is a much more talented offensive player.
In his two preseason games with Philadelphia, Mbah a Moute averaged 3.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Last season with the Kings and Wolves, he averaged 3.5 points and 2.3
rebounds per game.
Young scored 12 points and hauled in four rebounds. Last season in 79 games with Philadelphia, Young averaged 17.9 points and six rebounds.
Injury Report
Wolves guard Kevin Martin (left adductor strain) is doubtful, while forward Anthony Bennett (right leg) is questionable.
Philadelphia center Joel Embiid (back), Hollis Thompson (left corneal abrasion), Michael Carter-Williams (right shoulder) and Jason Richardson (left knee) are all out. Jerami Grant (right ankle sprain) is doubtful.
Probable Starters
Wolves: PG - Rubio, SG - Wiggins, SF - Brewer, PF - Young, C - Pekovic
76ers: PG - Wroten, SG - McDaniels - Mbah a Moute, PF - Noel, C - Sims