Mitchell HansenWeb Editorial AssociateTwitter
7 p.m., Target Center Where to Watch: Fox Sports North Where to Listen: 830 WCCO
The Minnesota Timberwolves wrap up a three-game homestand when the Orlando Magic come to town on Monday night.
The Wolves come into the game at 18-29 overall and in 12th place in the Western Conference. The Magic enter at 19-30 on the season and are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
Some tidbits prior to Monday’s game:
- The Wolves have won four of their last five games. During that span, Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 31.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 blocks.
- With his one steal against the Nets on Saturday, Ricky Rubio is six steals away from passing the 700-steal mark in his career. He ranks second in Wolves history behind Kevin Garnett (1,315).
- The Magic are playing in the second game of a road back-to-back.
- After Monday’s game, Minnesota will hit the road for a two-game road trip before returning to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Coming Off Of…
The Wolves are coming off of a 129-109 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday at Target Center.
Towns finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, Andrew Wiggins had 23 points and four assists, Zach LaVine had 20 points and six rebounds, Shabazz Muhammad had 18 points and seven rebounds, Rubio had 14 points and six assists, and Gorgui Dieng had 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for Minnesota.
The Magic are coming off of a 114-113 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday in Toronto.
Nikola Vucevic had 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, D.J. Augustin had 21 points, Jeff Green had 16 points, C.J. Watson had 15 points, Serge Ibaka had 12 points and seven rebounds and Elfrid Payton added 11 points, 10 assists and five rebounds for Orlando.
Last Matchup
Orlando and Minnesota last faced off on Nov. 9 in Orlando. The Wolves came out with the 123-107 win.
In that game, LaVine had 37 points and four rebounds, Wiggins had 29 points, six assists and four rebounds, Towns had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Dieng had 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Muhammad had 13 points and Tyus Jones added 10 points, five assists and four rebounds.
For the Magic, Vucevic had 24 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, Payton had 18 points and seven assists, Evan Fournier had 13 points, Mario Hezonja and Ibaka had 11 points each, and D.J. Augustin added 10 points.
Monday’s game is the second and final matchup between the two teams this season.
Key Matchup: Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Nikola Vucevic
One key matchup will come between two versatile big men in Karl-Anthony Towns and Nikola Vucevic.
They both have the ability to score, rebound and pass.
In the last 10 games, Towns has been on a tear for the Wolves, averaging 28.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, two blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Minnesota is 7-3 during that stretch.
Towns, in his second year out of Kentucky, is averaging a career-best 23 points, 11.9 rebounds and three assists.
Vucevic, in his sixth NBA season out of USC, is averaging 13.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game this year.
Injuries
Orlando: Fournier (heel) is questionable. Jodie Meeks (thumb) and C.J. Wilcox (Achilles) are out.
Minnesota: Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is out.
Projected Starters
Orlando: PG – Payton, SG – Watson, SF – Gordon, PF – Ibaka, C – Vucevic
Minnesota: PG – Rubio, SG – LaVine, SF – Wiggins, PF – Dieng, C – Towns