The Minnesota Timberwolves were finally able to snap that dreadful 27-game April skid, with a win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills. In that game they were also able to snap an 11-game skid overall. Tonight the TWolves will be looking to snap a 15-game April losing streak at home as well as looking to avoid a 5-game home losing streak these past few weeks. The Warriors will be looking to avoid a 9th consecutive loss. These teams split the two meetings this season, the last game was a 94-97 home loss for the TWolves back on April 4th. The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently 26-38 on the year, 13-18 at home and 1-9 in their last 10 games. The Golden State Warriors are 22-41 this season, 10-22 on the road, 1-9 in their last 10 games and are currently riding an 8-game losing streak. Let's take a look at each team's last five games...
The Warriors' last game came yesterday (4/21) vs. the Rockets. The result was a 96-99 Rockets win. Klay Thompson had 24pts, Brandon Rush added 19pts & 7reb off the bench and Charles Jenkins had 16pts & 8ast. The Warriors got within two points midway through the fourth quarter, but Courtney Lee hit two three-pointers to help Houston pull away and close out the W. The Warriors seem to be in 'full-tank mode', as some would call it. Meaning simply that their trying to lose these last few games to put themselves in a better position for the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery this summer. With that, let's take a look at the injury report for each team... The Warriors will be without Andrew Bogut & Stephen Curry, who will both be undergoing ankle surgery and are out for the season. David Lee was 'shut down' for the season with a hip/groin injury, he also won't play again this season. Dorell Wright missed Sunday's game vs. the Rockets due to an ankle sprain, he's likely a gametime decision for tonight's game. Andris Biedrens also didn't play vs. the Rockets due to a concussion--it's likely he'll also be a gametime decision for this one. Richard Jefferson has a sore knee, but he did play vs. the Rockets and is expected to play tonight. And lastly, Nate Robinson will likely miss his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury. Somewhat trying to 'tank games' and also some 'bad luck' with all the injuries this season. The Timberwolves can't be accused of tanking. The Wolves don't have a draft pick this summer (it's owned by the New Orleans Hornets--they acquired it from the Clippers in that Chris Paul trade this summer--the Clippers had it because of a trade in 2005 that landed the Wolves...Mark Jaric...). The Wolves therefore would have no reason to lose games 'on purpose'. They do however own the Utah Jazz's first round pick if and only if they make the playoffs (looking optimistic that they do, currently). The Wolves will be without Darko Milicic who has that 'phantom hamstring injury'...ie and excuse to keep him out of the lineup for the season. He's likely played his last game as a Minnesota Timberwolf, in fact. Both Luke Ridnour (ankle) and Kevin Love (concussion) will be gametime decisions for tonight's game. Kevin Love is the more likely to play. He's passed all the mandatory post-concussion tests and participated in a light practice on Saturday, with the team. He's also sporting a new 'do'. No beard (or mustache--for those who saw the pic on Twitter), that Rick Adelman said makes him look 10 years younger (check out Ricky Rubio's Twitter page for a pic). With all those injuries, let's take a look at the probable starting lineups for each team...
If Kevin Love can't/doesn't play, Anthony Randolph will likely start at power forward, again, tonight. Luke Ridnour could also start if he plays, Adelman could even switch it up a bit and start Barea & Ridnour in the backcourt together.
That's all for now, tipoff is set for 6pmCT tonight and a full gameday recap can be found, right here, following the final horn. Until then, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES!
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Cody D. AndersonA Wolves fan bringing you Gameday Recaps all season long! 2014-15 Game ArchivesGameday Archives
December 2015
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