New York - It will be the second matchup between Andrew Wiggins and future Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony in three days.
In Wednesday’s game at the Target Center, Wiggins might have played his best defensive game of the season, limiting to Anthony 14 points on 5-for-16 shooting. Anthony, however, did hit the game-winning shot with less than three seconds left.
“’Melo is one of the toughest covers in the league," Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said after Friday's shootaround. "You don’t stop a guy like that but you have to make him work for his shots. I think (Wiggins) did that. I think Wig is growing. He’s getting a lot better defensively.”
Wiggins, who had 19 points against Anthony, said that one of the things that makes Anthony such a tough cover is because Anthony has such a high-release point and it’s almost impossible to block his shot.
“It’s high. You’re never going to block his shot,” Wiggins said. “The best you can do is contest . . . Just have a high hand.”
A Familiar Place
It seems like Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau has been an assistant coach for nearly ever team in the NBA. That is not true, but he did spend seven seasons with the Knicks from 1996-2003.
During that time, the Knicks made the playoff five times, including one trip to the Finals and one trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Minnesota General Manager Scott Layden was the President and GM of the Knicks from 2001-03, center Cole Aldrich spent 2013-2015 in New York, and assistant coach Rick Brunson played with the Knicks from 1998-2000.
The Wolves and Knicks tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT at Madison Square Garden. The game will air on Fox Sports North and WCCO 830-AM.