• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

December 19th 2015

Queens NY

Nets vs Timberwolves Preview

The Brooklyn Nets at 7-19 welcome the young and talented Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow afternoon at Barclays Center. The Nets have lost 4 consecutive games however they have been competitive throughout the season. The Nets struggle to close games, which was evident in their last game against the Indiana Pacers.

 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 2-8 in their last ten games but are coming off a victory against the Sacramento Kings. Andrew Wiggins tallied 32 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in that game as he continues to show progress in this, his second NBA season. The rookie Karl-Anthony Towns has been impressive thus far averaging 15.4 points and 9 rebounds per contest. The Wolves played the Knicks this week and Towns did not disappoint. He went up against the Knicks rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis and played well, he tallied 25 points and 10 rebounds in a loss. Kevin Garnett returns to Brooklyn where he spent two seasons as a result of a trade with the Celtics. He looks to bring the same energy he has brought for every game he has ever played while in the league.

 

The Nets are 6-7 at home, while the Wolves are the better road team at 6-6. As always Brook Lopez will need to be established early and his fellow starters also need to be assertive on the offensive end as well. Thaddeus Young played for the Wolves last season before he was traded to the Nets he became a “Timber-wolf” after he was traded along with Wiggins and Anthony Bennett for Kevin Love.

 

Thaddeus will probably take the charge defensively to guard Andrew Wiggins; this should be a fun match-up to watch. Wiggins is scary athletic and has found his rhythm offensively. Young is also very adept on the defensive end like Wiggins, look for those two to provide an intriguing duel at the small forward position.

 

Jarrett Jack will be matched up with Ricky Rubio who after four years in the league has not lived up to the hype that he had coming out of Spain but he has played better this season. Jack will have to make him uncomfortable, as he likes to set up his teammates in the open floor and with the athleticism that the Wolves have that can be a problem.

 

The Wolves are 10th in the league in points per game however they struggle defensively as they are ranked 23rd in opponents points per game, they also rebound the ball well. The Nets need to control the glass and they will need some of their veterans to step up against the young Timberwolves nucleus of Wiggins, Towns and last years dunk contest champion Zach Lavine who has shown improvement offensively this season.

The Nets second unit will have to step up tomorrow as well, Andrea Bargnani has had some solid games since his return to the line up. Shane Larkin has and should provide a spark off the bench.

The Nets defend home court against the Wolves at the Barclays Center at 1:00pm tomorrow December 20th 2015. Stay tuned to PureSportsNY for live coverage from Brooklyn.

Photo: David Sherman NBAE/Getty Images

Twitter: sherman@shermangmz1

Email: shermangmz1@gmail.com

By Sherman Gomez

"Basketball is my favorite sport, I like the way they dribble up and down the court." "I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller." "Last week messed around and got a triple double." I write about basketball sometimes and then I try to go play....

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