Wolves at Heat
6:30 CST
FS North
The Wolves open a temporary stretch without Ricky Rubio tonight in Miami against the Heat, who are dealing with life after LeBron James.
The Heat won their first three games of the season before losing the last two at home to the Rockets and at Charlotte. Chris Bosh has been the big offensive force for them, averaging 24 a night on a 61% true shooting percentage. He's embraced the three pointer, averaging over 4 3PAs/36 and making them at a 43% clip in the early going. He's also getting to the line 8.5 times/36, and posting a defensive rebound percentage over 30%, and an assist percentage over 15%. In other words, he's dominating.
For the Wolves, Mo Williams will step in as the starting point guard, and while he's shown the ability to score on occasion, he is not nearly as good a director of offense nor is he anywhere near the defensive player Rubio is. Zach LaVine appears to be the new backup point guard, which does not fill me with confidence. We'll get to see our lottery pick; I guess that's something. But he's appeared thoroughly unready to play at an NBA level thus far, and I don't think things are going to be smooth with him out there.
Expected lineups
Heat
Norris Cole
Dwyane Wade
Luol Deng
Shawne Williams
Chris Bosh
Wolves
Zach LaVine
Kevin Martin
Andrew Wiggins
Thaddeus Young
Nikola Pekovic
LATE NEWS: LAVINE STARTING AT POINT GUARD! LAVINE IS STARTING! HIDE YOUR CHILDREN!
Here's a link to our blogging buddies for the evening Hot Hot Hoops. Be excellent.
Remember, none of the things you aren't supposed to post in a game thread.
Enjoy the game. If you can. Chat about it here.