Image copyright: Getty Images
2023-24 NBA Regular Season
Minnesota Timberwolves v Portland Trail Blazers
Target Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saturday 13 January 2024
Tip-off at 03:00
Minnesota Timberwolves are in danger of losing top spot in the Western Conference as they prepare for the visit of Portland Trail Blazers to the Target Center on the morning of Saturday, January 13.
The Timberwolves have suffered a dip in form in the New Year, losing three of the four games at the start of January to allow Oklahoma City Thunder (2nd) and Denver Nuggets (3rd) to creep up on them.
Chris Finch's team lost just seven times in the opening three months of the 2023-24 season, but they're now into double digits for defeats after going down 115-108 to Dallas Mavericks on January 8.
Anthony Edwards posted a game-high 36 points against the Mavs, but Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic combined for 14 points late in the third quarter to pave the way for their victory.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Finch admitted it was a tight contest and felt the Timberwolves could have come out on top if they'd displayed a bit more patience on offence.
"It was a really good game. We got down, we came back, we took a lead," Finch said. "Normally we've been winning those games, but today we didn't. I thought we had some good looks, just maybe rushed at times."
The Blazers have little hope of qualifying for the play-in tournament given their current poor record of 10-25, which sees them sitting second from bottom in the Western Conference.
However, Chauncey Billups' team halted a three-game losing sequence when they beat Brooklyn Nets 134-127 in overtime on January 7, sinking six of their last seven shots.
Malcolm Brogdon, who scored eight of his 18 points in overtime, hailed the win as massive for a young team that hasn't experienced that much time together on the floor.
"We definitely needed it," Brogdon said. "To pull a win like this out, this is a team competing for a playoff spot, it's a really good win for us.
"I think we're a young team, we're inexperienced to put a full 48 minutes together. Tonight we were able to put 53 minutes together, so I'm proud of this group."
Minnesota Timberwolves v Portland Trail Blazers - Head-to-head, Regular Season
Games played: 131
Timberwolves wins: 41
Blazers wins: 90
Kick start a non-stop world of sports
Start your sport beting journey with Betway Malawi and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you
bet on soccer leagues such as the
Spanish La Liga, the
English Premier League, the
Italian Serie A and many more.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions download the
Betway App and start playing on the go!