Timberwolves at Trail Blazers
The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t used to winning games this season and the Portland Trail Blazers aren’t accustomed to losing, but it’s the Timberwolves who’ will be riding a wave of momentum when they visit Portland on Sunday. Minnesota came from eight points down with five minutes left Friday to beat the host Los Angeles Lakers 120-119, not long after the Trail Blazers had a nine-game winning streak snapped in a 13-point loss to the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.
The Timberwolves now have two wins in their last 12 games, but those came against opponents with a combined record of 7-26 and even their other two victories this season have come against teams with losing records - the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons. To earn a significant win over a team like Portland, the Timberwolves will need 19-year-old rookies Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, both of whom have scored at least 28 points in one of the last three games, to integrate their best performances. Standing in their way is one of the more stout defenses, as the Trail Blazers lead the league in rebounding.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), CSNN (Portland)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (4-10): Injuries are still a big problem for the Timberwolves but they received some relief when they were given a hardship exception to fill a roster spot and Saturday signed forward Jeff Adrien, who was waived by the Houston Rockets in October. Adrien, who has appeared in 136 games for four different teams since 2010-11, will likely provide depth at forward. Robbie Hummel saw some extra minutes at small forward against the Lakers and scored seven points with a pair of steals in 18 minutes.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (12-4): One of the big surprises for Portland continues to be the play of backup center Chris Kaman, who has led the reserves in scoring in 13 games this season. He received a standing ovation as he walked off the court after fouling out against the Grizzlies, a reward for his 16-point, 11-rebound effort. Kaman is a native of the Northwest, so he’ll likely be looking to put on another show for the family watching back home.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Minnesota is 0-6 when trying to win a second straight game dating to last season.
2. Portland G Steve Blake, a career 38.7-percent shooter from 3-point range, has missed nine of his last 10 to drop his season percentage to 31.4, which would represent his lowest season mark since 2006-07.
3. Portland, which has played more home games (10) than any team in the Western Conference, will play six of its next seven on the road following Minnesota’s visit.