Wolves vs. Denver in Bismarck, N.D. • 5:30 p.m. today • No TV or radio
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As much as Wittman appreciates the effort of his second unit, he wants to see more from his starters, starting with tonight’s game against Denver in Bismarck, N.D.
“It’s not the record in this situation,” he said. “My main concern is whatever unit — we’ve played a lot of different combinations, started different lineups — that we come out with energy each time. And we haven’t.”
The Wolves’ starters could get a boost tonight with the expected return of shooting guard/forward Mike Miller, who practiced Saturday after missing the past two games because of a sprained ankle.
Wittman said he will continue to experiment with different combinations and is in no rush to settle on a starting lineup.
Mike Miller hails from Mitchell, S.D. Though it is about 340 miles from Bismarck, those with North and South Dakota ties can mesh and welcome home their fellow statesmen. Heck, Miller was even embraced by local media when the team made a stop in Billings, Mont., earlier this preseason…
Brian Cardinal (calf), Jason Collins (elbow) and David Harrison (calf) all worked out on various exercise machines during the portion of practice open to the media. Wittman, though, said Harrison did participate in live action earlier in the day and would be evaluated further this morning.
From Lou Babiarz/Bismarck Tribune:
But Ahearn has to cut down on turnovers and improve his defense if he hopes to make the team.
“Blake needs to be better when he’s being pressured from an offensive standpoint, and he needs to show he can stay with the quicker point guards,” Wittman said. “… He’s done some good things.”
There is the possibility that the Timberwolves could keep Ahearn and assign him to the D-League.That would mean he would be playing with Minnesota’s affiliate – and the Wizards’ main rival – the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Joel Brigham/Hoopsworld on “unexpected happenings” during the second week of preseason.
The 4-1 Minnesota Timberwolves
Who’d a thunk that the Wolves would be one of the hottest teams of the preseason? Certainly Al Jefferson is the team’s top player, but they’re so much deeper than anybody expected. This is a group full of huge bodies and athletic swingmen. The point guard position has been a concern, but even backup Kevin Ollie has been fantastic. I’m not sure the Wolves are going to be playoff-caliber, but they’re going to be an interesting team to watch this season.
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