Game Info
Time: 7:00 CT
Location: Target Center
TV: FS North (Minnesota) CSN California (Sacramento)
Radio: 830 WCCO (Minnesota) 1140 KHTH (Sacramento)
Team Matchup
Average points: Minnesota- 98.4 Sacramento- 102.5 Advantage Sacramento
Average points allowed: Minnesota- 108.7 Sacramento- 104.0 Advantage Sacramento
Last Meeting
These teams met earlier this year, with Sacramento winning by a final score of 113-101. In that game, rookie Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 29 points in 41 minutes played. For Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins led the way with 31 points, while Ben McLemore scored 22 points to help the Kings win.
This week's results
Minnesota is coming off of a 100-94 loss to Utah on Tuesday night, which capped off a 0-4 road trip for the Timberwolves. In that game, Shabazz Muhammad had a career night, scoring 30 points. For Utah, rookie Trey Burke notched 26 points and six assists in a game where the Wolves were out-rebounded, 43-34. Sacramento is coming off of a 106-97 loss to Brooklyn on Tuesday night, in a game where DeMarcus Cousins got a double-double, with 24 points and 13 rebounds. On Wednesday afternoon, the Kings lost to Boston by a score of 106-84. In that game, the Kings were led by McLemore and Collison, who each scored 14 points.
Game Preview
The Timberwolves enter this game on a nine game losing streak and are hungry for a win to start the New Year. They will need heavy minutes from rookies Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine in order to win. However, they have to be careful so that they don't wear out their rookies. Ricky Rubio coming back in a few weeks will help that, but the Wolves need to somehow acquire more help because the rookies are just simply not getting the job done. They may get a small advantage, however, as Sacramento is playing their third game in three days and are coming from the East coast, so jet lag will be a factor for Sacramento. In addition, DeMarcus Cousins, who body slammed Marcus Smart to the ground in Sacramento's last game, might get punished, possibly a suspension for this game.
Injury Report
Minnesota
Ricky Rubio- OUT (Ankle)
Kevin Martin- OUT (Wrist)
Nikola Pekovic- OUT (Wrist/Ankle)
Sacramento
Ramon Sessions- DOUBTFUL (Back)
Prediction
Even though the Kings are playing their third game in three days, they should still win with a final score of 102-94 final score.