Timberwolves vs. Trail Blazers Preview
On Tuesday at 10 p.m. EST, the Minnesota Timberwolves (35-23) will visit the Portland Trail Blazers (28-30) in a key Western Conference matchup in Portland, Oregon. With the Timberwolves currently positioned sixth in the West and the Trail Blazers sitting in ninth, both teams are looking to strengthen their playoff standings.
Team Performance
Portland has been competitive this season, holding a respectable record of 22-17 in conference play, albeit with a notable defensive struggle, allowing 118.2 points per game and being outscored by an average of 2.5 points each outing. Minnesota, on the other hand, has achieved a 20-17 mark in the Western Conference and has had a mixed record of 4-4 in closely contested matches decided by less than four points.
Notably, the Trail Blazers excel in their perimeter shooting, averaging 14.4 successful three-point attempts each game, which surpasses the 12.7 three-pointers surrendered by the Timberwolves. In terms of overall field goal performance, Minnesota boasts a shooting percentage of 48.3%, slightly edging out their opponents’ average against the Blazers, who have seen rival teams shoot 47.5% against them.
Previous Matchup
This encounter marks the third meeting of the season between these two teams. The last matchup took place on February 12, when the Timberwolves triumphed over the Trail Blazers with a decisive 133-109 victory, thanks in part to an impressive 41-point display by Julius Randle, complemented by Jrue Holiday’s 23 points for Portland.
Key Players
Key players to watch include Deni Avdija, leading the Trail Blazers with an impressive 24.4 points per game alongside 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists, and Jerami Grant, who is contributing 17.7 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting nearly 50% over his last ten appearances. On the Timberwolves’ side, Randle is averaging 22.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. Additionally, Anthony Edwards has been on a roll, averaging 3.1 three-pointers made over the last 10 games.
Recent Form and Injuries
Both teams are coming off varying forms, with the Trail Blazers recording a 5-5 record in their previous ten games, where they’ve averaged 116.4 points, 46.1 rebounds, and have shot 47.1% from the field. In contrast, the Timberwolves have had a slightly better run at 6-4, scoring an average of 122.2 points per game at a shooting percentage of 49.7%, while their opponents have scored 119.3 points.
In terms of injuries, Portland will be without Shaedon Sharpe (calf) and star player Damian Lillard for the remainder of the season due to an Achilles injury. Minnesota has its own injury concerns, with Naz Reid sidelined due to a shoulder issue, potentially impacting their depth and performance.
Conclusion
This game promises to be a critical clash in the race for the playoffs in the Western Conference, as both teams will vie for vital wins as the season heads into its home stretch.
