The Wolves are back from a four-game road trip that saw wins over the Kings and the Jazz. Minnesota played some good basketball on the trip, and one player in particular was a big reason why.
Over the four-game trip, second-year forward Nemanja Bjelica averaged 11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds, including back-to-back double-doubles.
“I feel good. We had a great road trip. . . I’m feeling good on the court. I tried to play my game, the way how I feel more comfortable and help the team,” Bjelica said after Monday’s shootaround.
On the season, Bjelica is averaging 6.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. The Wolves are hoping to get more of what Bjelica has been able to do lately in tonight’s battle against the Blazers.
New Big Man In Portland
Prior to the trade deadline, the Blazers swapped Mason Plumlee for Jusuf Nurkic with the Denver Nuggets.
Since his arrival in Portland, Nurkic has been an absolute stud, averaging 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in six games while shooting 57.6 percent from the field.
“Nurkic puts a lot of pressure on the rim,” Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Tough in the low post, has a strong low-post game. Also a very good passer. I think that trade was a very good trade for both teams.”
The Wolves will try to slow down Nurkic and the Blazers tonight at 7 p.m. The game will air on Fox Sports North and WCCO 830 AM.