The Minnesota Timberwolves could be exactly what the Sacramento Kings need to get their first win on their current four-game road trip. The Wolves are 5-25, have lost nine games in a row (longest losing streak since 2012) and are 3-11 at home this season. But nothing is guaranteed with these Kings lately. The game tips off at 5:00 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California and on KHTK 1140.
3 Things to Look For
1. The Timberwolves do not play defense. They are 29th in the league in opponent points allowed at 108.7 per game. They are also dead last in opponent field goal percentage as they let their opponents shoot nearly 50 percent. Unfortunately, the Kings aren't much better these days as they are 26th in opponent points allowed (104.1 per game), but the deficiencies of the Timberwolves should work in the Kings' favor.
2. With Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin all out due to injury, the Timberwolves have been leaning on Shabazz Muhammad and Andrew Wiggins for scoring. Over the last 10 games, Muhammad is averaging 19.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1 steal per game. He also is shooting well from three this season (48 percent). He scored a career-high 30 points against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Wiggins has had some good scoring performances recently, and the first time the Kings played the Timberwolves this season, he scored 29 points. The Kings will need to lock in on them.
3. The Timberwolves are a young team and are having trouble winning without their three main starters. Not that the Kings know how to exactly win these days, but if they can manage to play the right way in the fourth quarter and use their experience to their favor, they should come away with a win.
Pregame Limerick
The Kings desperately need to win a game.
What has happened to them recently is a shame.
In real life, one would expect
a King to defeat a wolf.
But nothing is a given for the Kings until they play for each other again instead of individual fame.
Prediction
Kings 111, Timberwolves 108
Update
Here is the Kings injury report:
Omri Casspi (left knee bone contusion) - DOUBTFUL
Ramon Sessions (low back strain) - OUT
Eric Moreland is out with a left shoulder labral tear. He is scheduled to have surgery on Saturday and will miss the rest of the season.