Two teams who have the 4th worst records in the NBA face off tonight in Detroit, MI. We got ourselves a NICE one tonight with lotto implications at stake!

Game Info

Who: Minnesota Timberwolves (21-47) at Detroit Pistons (20-49)
When: 6:00 pm CT
TV: Bally Sports North PLUS
Radio: 830 WCCO AM Radio

What To Watch For

• Coach Finch’s Rubio-Russell starting backcourt is now 1-1 after their Florida road trip. The peanut gallery has long been skeptical of that pairing and many anticipate Ricky Rubio not even being on the team next year (Not me though). To silence these murmurs, developing a strong chemistry between the 2 guards will surely do the trick.
• Speaking of chemistry with our Spanish Unicorn - Anthony Edwards has continued his ascension to future ruler of the NBA. I’d like to focus his rebounding. Ant is averaging 4.8 rebounds on the season, but has seen that number nearly double to 7.9 in his last eight games. I know Mr. John Meyer is out there loving it.

• I’m putting Karl-Anthony Towns on triple-double watch tonight. Not only is he likely inspired by Russell Westbrook’s new record, KAT will also have a graveyard of fringe NBA players guarding him tonight. Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant (among many others) are listed as OUT, meaning he gets CH favorite Sekou Doumbouya, Flip (RIP) favorite Jahlil Okafor, and YoLeo favorite Isaiah Stewart tonight.
• All slander aside, I really like Detroit’s young core. I really don’t think they’re 2 years away from being 2 years away. Maybe just 1 year away from being a year away - so 2 years away from being decent by Eastern Conference standards. Okay fine, so like 3 years away. Killian Hayes has been fun to watch (if you ignore the scoring and turnovers), Isaiah Stewart is an energetic and promising young player, and Saddiq Bey is already showing he belongs in the league as an effective 3&D guy. I’m hoping they’re able to add a top draft pick this year to complement their youth movement.

Injury Report

UPDATE:

Predictions

• Chris Finch (.378) shows Dwane Casey (.434) that he deserves his rightful place as the 4th winningest coach in Timberwolves history by drawing up beautiful ATO and SLOB plays. What an accomplishment. YOU’RE NEXT TOMMY T (.475)!

• After being up 25 in the 3rd quarter, Jaylen Nowell gets significant PT and reopens the discussion of “Will Malik accept a role as a $14M bench scorer next year?” He finishes with 20 points on 0.69% shooting.
• KAT drops a massive 69-6-9 stat line tonight on 0.69% shooting, of course.
• Jahlil Okafor scores 18 points on 30 FGA. Former Detroit Pistons rookie, Arron Afflalo, witnesses this amazing display and immediately withdraws his bid for the Timberwolves and pursues the Pistons instead.

• Ant, who earlier demolished Frank Jackson with a dunk, tells Lea B. Olsen in the post game courtside interview, “Hey I just wanna shoutout the winners of them Hoopus Awards! Ya’ll stay pushin’ out there, I see ya’ll...”
• Wolves win, 127-104.