Most teams experience growing pains after a blockbuster trade, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are no exception.
Following a head-scratching home loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday, which snapped their three-game winning streak, Minnesota begins NBA Cup play against the host Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. The teams will meet again in Portland on Wednesday.
The Trail Blazers are currently on a three-game losing streak, with their most recent defeat being a 134-89 loss to the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Minnesota lost 95-94 to Miami after Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds. The Wolves committed 20 turnovers in the game.
After the game, Minnesota coach Chris Finch took responsibility for some confusion during the final two possessions. Center Rudy Gobert appreciated Finch’s apology but emphasized that it was a team loss.
The Wolves expected occasional setbacks, especially after trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo before the season.
Following their run to the Western Conference finals last season, Minnesota is focused on integrating their new players.
The 37-year-old Conley is looking to find his rhythm this season, currently shooting an underwhelming 30.7 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range.
Minnesota has won its last five meetings against Portland, which struggled against a depleted Memphis squad. The Grizzlies, without injured guards Ja Morant (hip) and Desmond Bane (oblique), led by as many as 25 points in the second quarter.
Jerami Grant led the Blazers with 20 points, while Dalano Banton and Donovan Clingan each contributed 13 points off the bench.
Portland, opening a four-game homestand, shot just 9.5 percent (4-of-42) from 3-point range and committed 23 turnovers.
Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, returning from a shoulder injury, made his first start of the season on Sunday, scoring seven points on 3-of-10 shooting. Sharpe started in place of forward Deni Avdija, who is averaging 9.0 points and 5.6 rebounds. Avdija missed all five of his field-goal attempts in 13 minutes off the bench but added four assists.
