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Timberwolves host Suns
Monday, December 19th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Target Center
MATCHUP
Well, that last game at Chicago was pretty ugly to say the least. Definitely the type of game you would tend to want to forget. Minnesota looks to rebound after an absolute gut-punch. The Wolves come into town with a 7-19 record holding the 14th spot in the Western Conference. The Suns look to counter with an 8-19 record holding the 13th spot in the Western Conference. Clearly a match-up for the ages.
Projected Starters
Timberwolves:
PG: Ricky Rubio #9
SG: Zach LaVine #8
SF: Andrew Wiggins #22
PF: Gorgui Dieng #5
C: Karl-Anthony Towns #32
Suns:
PG: Eric Bledsoe #2
SG: Devin Booker #1
SF: T.J. Warren #12
PF: Marquese Chriss #0
C: Alex Len #21
Injury Report
Timberwolves:
Nikola Pekovic – out/season (recurring foot pain)
Suns:
Alex Len – probable (hip)
T.J. Warren – probable (head)
Last Meeting
The Timberwolves and Suns faced off once already this year on November 25th. Minnesota had the lead early on heading into halftime. Phoenix stormed back and took control of the second half making a 13 point deficit. The Timberwolves punched back in the 4th quarter and ended up winning 98-85. Andrew Wiggins lead the way for the Timberwolves with 25 points. Eric Bledsoe had 23 points, but it wasn’t enough for Phoenix.
Noteworthy
Match-up to watch tonight: Zach LaVine and Devin Booker. Coming into the year, most Timberwolves fans probably suspected that LaVine was going to be more of an attacking slasher instead of a square-up shooter. I guess he proved all of us wrong. He’s been shooting the ball quite well for Minnesota this season. He’ll have to clamp up on Devin Booker in order to contain the Suns offense. Booker is coming off an impressive 31 point game against the Thunder. It’s crazy to think that LaVine is only 21 years old, and Booker is only 20.
Player to watch: Kris Dunn. Well hello there rookie! Tensions have been rising around Ricky Rubio. The number of fans crying for a trade has been rising. In the past month, a few Timberwolves fans here and there at Target Center have even been spouting off and taunting Rubio. Yes, I know we suck. It’s still not cool to taunt one of the nicest and classiest guys Minnesota basketball has seen. With that being said, Rubio hasn’t been playing that well lately. Thibs has been trying different lineups. In some of the cases, Dunn has been the go-to guy. From the beginning of the season, I was publicly in favor of a possible Rubio trade and an instant Dunn start. Dunn can shoot better, and even play defense better. I’m hoping Dunn gets more minutes in the future, and hopefully the starting job.
Broadcast Information
TV: Fox Sports North – Dave Benz (play-by- play), Jim Peterson (analyst)
Radio: 830 WCCO-AM – Alan Horton (play-by- play)
(All stats found on NBA.com and basketball-reference.com)
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