7 p.m., Target Center
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO
It’s going to be emotional. That’s for sure. The Timberwolves will play their first home game of the 2015-16 season since the death of Flip Saunders.
Minnesota has jumped out to a 2-0 start. Sure, those wins were over the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, two below-average teams, but road wins are big - especially for a team as young as the Wolves.
Portland blew up its team in the offseason and it appears to be in the middle of a rebuilding project. The Blazers sit at 1-2 this season.
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Fans are encouraged to be in their seats at 6:45 p.m. There will be a tribute for Saunders before the game.
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The Wolves brought in C.J. McCollum before the 2013 NBA Draft for a workout. The team seemed to be high on him, but instead decided to trade back in the draft. McCollum has had a solid start to the season starting at shooting guard. He’s averaging 22.7 points per game.
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The Wolves last went 3-0 in 2013-14 when they beat the Magic, Thunder and Knicks.
THEY ARE COMING OFF OF…
The Wolves took down the Nuggets 95-78 on Friday night in Denver. Rookie Karl-Anthony Towns was spectacular, finishing with 28 points and 14 rebounds despite a sore ankle. Andrew Wiggins fought through back pain and put up 18 points. Kevin Martin led the second unit with 14 points. Ricky Rubio filled the stat sheet, finishing with 12 points, eight assists, five rebounds and a steal. Minnesota was solid at the free-throw line, shooting 33-for-41 (80.5 percent).
The Blazers are coming off of a 101-90 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. All-Star point guard Damian Lillard finished with 23 points and eight assists for Portland, but had five turnovers. Al-Farouq Aminu finished with 16 points, while McCollum added 15. Portland struggled from the 3-point line, shooting just 8-for-30 (26.7 percent).
LAST MATCHUP:
The Wolves had success against the Blazers last season, splitting the four-game season series. The two teams last played on on April 8 in Portland. The Blazers came away with a 116-91 behind 24 points and 13 rebounds from now-Spur LaMarcus Aldridge. Lillard finished with 17 points, while McCollum led the bench with 13. Portland connected on 12 3-pointers.
Wiggins led the Wolves with 29 points, five rebounds and four assists. Fellow rookie Zach LaVine added 18 points, while Martin scored 17. Minnesota shot just 37.6 percent (32-for-85) from the field.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: RICKY RUBIO VS. DAMIAN LILLARD
After missing the majority of last season with an ankle injury, Rubio busted into the 2015 season with a 28-point and 14-assist performance. Are those numbers sustainable? Probably not, but it’s good to see No. 9 out there dishing the ball and more importantly, hitting shots.
In two games this season, Rubio is averaging 20 points, 11 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. In one game against Portland last season, he had 13 points and 15 assists.
After so many moves during the offseason, the Blazers have given the keys to Damian Lillard for the future. He’s a tough guy to guard, but he isn’t afraid of shooting, which can be a strength and a weakness.
In three games this season, Lillard is averaging 22.7 points and 8.3 assists. In four games against Minnesota last season, he averaged 22.3 points, 6.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds.
INJURIES
Blazers: Gerald Henderson (hip) is questionable. Cliff Alexander (knee) is out indefinitely.
Wolves: Nikola Pekovic (Achilles) is out.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
Blazers: PG- Lillard, SG - McCollum, SF - Aminu, PF - Leonard, C - Plumlee
Wolves: PG- Rubio, SG- Wiggins, SF- Prince, PF- Garnett, C- Towns