Timberwolves at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: Even their usual decisive home advantage has failed the Portland Trail Blazers lately. The Trail Blazers have lost five of seven at the Rose Garden after starting 11-1 this season and going 30-11 last season. That could change Saturday night against the road-weary Minnesota Timberwolves, who will be playing their fourth game in five nights. The Trail Blazers will try to win their 17th straight over the Timberwolves and 12th at home in the series. Minnesota fell to Phoenix 104-95 on Thursday as Kevin Love returned from flu-like symptoms with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS North (Timberwolves), CSN Northwest (Trail Blazers)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (18-19): Minnesota just finished its second set of three games in three nights, but tried not to use that as an excuse in falling to Phoenix. “It was a character game, and we had a chance to step up,” said Love, who averages just 12.3 points on 36.5 percent shooting against the Trail Blazers in Portland. J.J. Barea missed Thursday's game with a strained right calf suffered Wednesday against the Lakers. He is listed as doubtful.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (18-18): Center Joel Przybilla, signed this week as a free agent, played his first game in almost a year. He had four points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in 19 minutes. “I was a little winded. I've gotten only one practice in. It's going to take time,” Przybilla said. “The second half looked a little better.” Portland has lost eight of its last 12 and was thoroughly outplayed by Miami in Thursday’s 107-93 loss. “You're in the second half of the season so every game is important,” coach Nate McMillan said. “Any loss in this short season hurts.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Minnesota’s loss to the Lakers on Wednesday was their 17th in a row in the series, the longest losing streak of any current series. The Trail Blazers can tie that mark tonight against the Timberwolves. The teams meet again Wednesday in Minnesota.
2. Tonight's game continues a month-long stretch where Minnesota plays 13 of 18 on the road.
3. Blazers G Wesley Matthews averaged 25.8 points in the four-game series against the Timberwolves last season, including a career-best 36 on Jan. 7.