Gameday Primer: Wolves - Kings

​By: Zach More

Happy Friday, Wolves fans.

This is the first time we get to do a primer after back-to-back wins. It feels pretty good. Tonight the Wolves will look for their third straight win as they take on the Sacramento Kings. Something to watch tonight will be to see if the Wolves can stop always entertaining Demarcus Cousins. I would assume Dieng will be matched up with him on defense to start the game. Dieng has been guarding the opponents best frontcourt player on most nights. Cousins has struggled in the past to stay out of foul trouble and as a Wolves writer, I wouldn't mind seeing that again tonight.

When: 7pm CT
Where: Target Center, Mineapolis, MN
Where to Watch: FSN
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO

Game Notes

Playoffs? As has been mentioned a lot on Wolves Twitter, the Wolves are only 2.5 games back from the 8th spot. That is the good news. The bad news is they still only have 9 wins and still have 4 teams ahead of them that they would need to pass to take that 8th spot. Since it is the Holiday season we will end this with more good news. The Wolves do play a lot of those teams ahead of them, including Sacramento, in the next couple of weeks.

Gay out: Rudy Gay will miss the game tonight due to a hip injury. This is good news for the Wolves, as they have struggled (might be an understatement) to stop Rudy in the past. Also, Omri Casspi is questionable for the Kings tonight with an illness.

Trade talk: The Kings are well known to be interested in a point guard. They will get a first hand look at Ricky Rubio Tonight. I am not sure these two teams match up well in a trade but you never know going forward - a three team trade is always a possibility. The Kings could also be interested in Tyus Jones, but most likely will not get to see him play many minutes tonight unless an injury or foul trouble.

Prediction

Wolves win 108-98. Towns picks up his 10th consecutive double-double. LaVine and Wiggins combine for 50+ points.

I believe the Wolves are finally turning a corner on the defensive end, and that is why I have them winning this game. With Gay being out, that limits Sacramento's options on offense and allows the Wolves to focus more on Cousins. I expect big scoring games from both Wiggins and LaVine tonight and a good team defensive effort.