Wolves-Cleveland game preview
January 25, 2016 at 5:20AM
Preview: The Wolves, winners of two straight home games and two of their past four overall, find themselves amid the NBA's current drama. On Friday the Cavs fired coach David Blatt and elevated Tyronn Lue to the position. And then Saturday, in Cleveland's first game with Lue as head coach, they lost at home to Chicago. Afterward Lue — who promised to hold players accountable — said the team wasn't in good enough shape to play the up-tempo style they wanted to play. The Wolves are coming off Saturday's victory over Memphis — the team's first against a team with a winning record since Nov. 25.
Players to watch: Wolves G/F Andrew Wiggins has averaged 31.7 points in three games vs. Cleveland, including 35 Jan. 8. G/F Shabazz Muhammad scored 25 Saturday vs. Memphis, averaging 14.8 points over his past 13 games. PG Ricky Rubio had his third point/assist double-double Saturday with 15 points and 12 assists. Cavs G J.R. Smith had 27 points and G Iman Shumpert had 23 in Cleveland's Jan. 8 victory. LeBron James is fifth in the league in scoring (25.0). Former Wolf F Kevin Love is averaging 15.6 points and 10.9 rebounds. Kyrie Irving is averaging 15.8 points.
Numbers: Cleveland's 125 points vs. the Wolves on Jan. 8 is a season high. Cleveland has won three straight vs. Minnesota by an average of 21 points. Cleveland is 24-6 in its past 30 games vs. Western Conference teams. The Wolves are 13-for-54 on three-pointers in its past three games.
Injuries: Wolves F Kevin Garnett (knee) is questionable. Cleveland reports no injuries.
Kent Youngblood
about the writer
Dealing with an injury to the starting point guard, the team has tried Donte DiVincenzo, but rookie Rob Dillingham has provided the better spark.
