The Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a Western Conference showdown on Tuesday night from the Moda Center. The Timberwolves remain right near the top of the standings, though they'll want to make sure to make quick work of a Portland team that has struggled, especially of late. In the first meeting between these two a month ago, Minnesota dominated at home, making it their seventh win in the last ten meetings between these two.
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The Timberwolves head to the Pacific Northwest for the third game of this current road trip, as they aim to replicate the success from the last time out against the Bucks. With the season quickly winding down, Minnesota knows that they need to find a way to continue to rack up the wins, especially as they sit top of the Western Conference standing, with a game of less deciding spots one through four. It'll help that they'll be taking on a team that they've historically fared well against, though going on the road in the NBA can always present some challenges. With a 17-11 away record, the Timberwolves have played well thus far and knowing that they have a few home games up next, should allow them to use a full complement of their rotation in this one.
It has helped that Minnesota has been able to stay healthy this season, as that carries over into this one. They only have two play ers listed on the injury report and only one of those is definitely out. Jaylen Clark (Achilles) remains out, while Jaden McDaniels (finger) is questionable. McDaniels has been a key piece this year and is certainly to be missed if he can't go.
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Minnesota's offense is one of the best in the league and Portland could be in trouble trying to keep pace. The Timberwolves rank eighth in the league in field-goal percentage and are second in three-point percentage. Having a pair of 20+ point scorers in Anthony Edwards (25.9 ppg) and Karl-Anthony Towns (22.6 ppg) certainly helps matters, in addition to having six double-figure scorers overall. For as strong as the offense has been, the defense has been even better, as they lean on massive advantages in this one. They rank first in nearly every defensive category and against a Portland team that has stru ggled to find an identity, Minnesota's experience and length on the defensive end will be a major storyline in this one.