Wizards 1-3 vs Timberwolves 3-1
When: Saturday, November 2 at 8 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: NBCSWA, FSNTH+ / Radio: 1500 AM, 830 WCCO
Injury
Wizards: John Wall (Out for the season/ Left Torn Achilles), Jordan McRae (Out/ Foot), CJ Miles (Out/Foot), Ian Mahinmi (Out/ Strained Right Achilles)
Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns (Suspension/2 Games)
Wizards -
119.2 - points per game
119.0 - points against
47.9 - Field goal %
Timberwolves -
114.8 - points per game
112.8 - points against
43.0 - field goal %
Keep an eye on:
The Glass: The Wolves average 46 rebounds per game, the Wizards are at 43.8. This will be an extremely important part of tonight's game considering Towns won't be on the floor. He averages 11.5 per game this season, all but two come on the defensive end. Washington has struggled on the defensive end through the first four games of the season, finishing off defensive possessions with the rebound. Surrendering 13 rebounds a contest, with Towns out, Washington has a chance to win the battle of the boards tonight. Minnesota is going to need several players to step up in Towns absence, especially on the glass.
Defense: Neither team has been particularly good at that end of the floor this season. The Wizards have more than enough fire power as evidenced by the 158 points they scored in their home opener, a loss to the Rockets. As for the Timberwolves, their opponents have shot 47% from the floor. Just a bit higher of a percentage than Washington's opponents. The difference for these teams has been the Wizards have shot better, but much of that came from the loss to Houston.
Both teams are in the top ten in terms of pace, so transition defense will be important. Washington didn't do a good job of getting back off of makes or misses against Houston, with Towns out it's fair to assume that the Timberwolves would try and push the pace even more. He's not on the court to be the primary option in the half court.
