Gameday Primer: Wolves vs. Blazers

By: Dan Slaubaugh

Good morning. It's Monday, but not the typical feeling of a Monday, for certain reasons. Reason #1) The Wolves home opener is tonight. Reason #2) Zach More and I will be attending the game and have the pleasure of going courtside before the game as special guests thanks to Haley Di Naso, a Minnesota Timberwolves ticket insider who hooked us up for what should be an awesome experience. Reason #3) There will be a pregame tribute to Flip Saunders prior to tipoff that should/will draw some tears from the Target Center faithful. 
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The Wolves (2-0) are coming off an unusual pair of back-to-back road wins while receiving stellar play from rookie Karl-Anthony Towns, who is the first teenager ever to record a pair of double-doubles in his first 2 games in the NBA. The Trailblazers (1-2) are coming off back-to-back losses, on consecutive nights, to the Phoenix Suns. Here's what you need to know for tonight's game.

What: Wolves vs. Trailblazers
When: 7:00pm CST
Where: Target Center. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Where to watch: Fox Sports North
Where to listen: 830 WCCO Radio

What to watch for:

Rubio vs. Lillard: There is an abundance of pretty good/exceptional point guards in today's NBA, and these 2 are definitely in that mix. Lillard, as expected, leads the team in scoring - along with C.J. McCollum (22.7), assists (8), steals (1.8), and minutes played (36.3). The offense runs through him and he will get the touches he needs to make an impact. Rubio, has averaged 20 points, 11 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1 steal through 2 contests. These guys should be going at it all night, making for a very fun game of basketball.

C.J. McCollum's stellar play: He's been a really nice side-kick to pair along with Lillard in the backcourt. In Portland's season opener, he went off for 37 points, while grabbing 6 rebounds. The past couple games vs. Phoenix, he's finished with 16 points and 15 points, respectively. 

Towns dominance: He's the first teenager ever to record 2 straight double-doubles in his first 2 ever professional games. He's simply dominated the boards, and has been playing elite defense, swatting away 4 shots against Denver. Much like everybody else, tonight will be the first time I will get to see Towns play in person. I guess it's safe to say I am so deeply, incredibly excited, and I'm glad I get the opportunity to see him on the Target Center floor for the first time in his career. 

Team Leaders

Minnesota
Points: Towns (21)
Rebounds: Towns (13)
Assists: Rubio (11)
Steals: Rubio (1)
Blocks: Towns (2)

Portland
Points: Lillard-McCollum (22.7)
Rebounds: Aminu (8.3)
Assists: Lillard (8.3)
Steals: Lillard (1.3)
Blocks: Aminu (1.3)

Projected Starters

Minnesota
PG: Ricky Rubio
SG: Andrew Wiggins
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Portland
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: C.J. McCollum
SF: Al-Farouq Aminu
PF: Meyers Leonard
C: Miles Plumlee

Injury Report

Minnesota

OUT: Nikola Pekovic (recovering from surgery on right achilles)

Portland

Questionable: Gerald Henderson
OUT: Cliff Alexander

​Alright, that's it. Enjoy the game tonight. I will be tweeting out pictures/videos courtside before the game; so be on the lookout for that. Finally, it's going to be an emotional night at Target Center. There will be many tears shed, and the Wolves will want no other way than to get a win in their first game at Target Center without their coach, Flip Saunders. #ComeTogether #WinForFlip