Game Preview: Timberwolves host Knicks

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Timberwolves host Knicks

Wednesday, November 30th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Target Center

MATCHUP

Well, here we are. The last Timberwolves game for the month of November. At this point in the season, most fans would’ve guessed we would have a better record than 5-12. Then again, we are from Minnesota. The Knicks come into town with a 8-9 record and a two game losing streak. New York currently holds the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference, whereas Minnesota holds the 13th spot in the Western Conference. Carmelo Anthony is New York’s leading scorer with 22.7 points a game, and Andrew Wiggins is Minnesota’s with 22.9 points per game. If I was a betting man, Spike Lee will be watching those two all night.

Projected Starters

Timberwolves:

PG: Ricky Rubio #9

SG: Zach LaVine #8

SF: Andrew Wiggins #22

PF: Gorgui Dieng #5

C: Karl-Anthony Towns #32

Knicks:

PG: Derrick Rose #25

SG: Courtney Lee #5

SF: Carmelo Anthony #7

PF: Kristaps Porzingis #6

C: Joakim Noah #13

Injury Report

Timberwolves: 

Nikola Pekovic – out/season (recurring foot pain)

Knicks:

Lance Thomas – questionable (ankle)

Last Meeting

The Timberwolves and Knicks faced off two times last year. Minnesota lost both games against New York. The final game they played was February 20th at the Target Center. The Timberwolves lost to the Knicks 103 to 95. Carmelo Anthony and Robin Lopez lead the way with a combined 56 points. Melo had 30 and Lopez had 26. Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns both put up 24 points, but it wasn’t enough for Minnesota.

Noteworthy

Match-up to watch tonight: Andrew Wiggins and Carmelo Anthony. This is going to be one of the toughest challenges for Wiggins this season. Both of these guys are their team’s leading scorers. It will be a constant shootout. Hopefully Maple Jordan can put the clamps on Melo so he doesn’t hurt us too bad.

Player to watch: Kristaps Porzingis. Ahh yes, Kristaps Porzingis. The 7’3 Latvian who made the little kid cry on draft night. Porzingis can do it all. Kristaps knows how to use his size down in the post, and how to stretch out to the 3 point line. Whoever is guarding him will have a challenge on their hand. It’s not like you guard someone who is 7’3 everyday.

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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