The Minnesota Timberwolves have been unable to beat the Lakers for over four years — March 6, 2007, to be exact — and have lost nine straight in the series at Staples Center, but the team will be looking to change that tonight in their last meeting of the season with Los Angeles.
The Wolves (17-52) really don’t have much to play for at this juncture of the season with Kevin Love’s record-breaking double-double streak recently ended and their chances at making the playoffs a distant memory, but, like most seasons, the Lakers do.
If the Lakers (48-20) win tonight, they’ll clinch the Pacific Division once again. With 14 games left in the season, however, that’s not much of a concern for L.A. tonight.
“Winning your division means you are on top but we have bigger goals in mind,” forward Pau Gasol told NBA.com.
I don’t know what those bigger goals might be in the regular season so I’ll go ahead and venture a guess — holding Kevin Love without a double-double. Lamar Odom was referred to as a Love-stopper prior to the last match-up between these two teams and Andrew Bynum hasn’t been given a challenge like Love recently as the Lakers center is averaging 15.8 rebounds per game over his last six.
Oh, and Kobe Bryant is expected to be available despite not practicing all week due to a sprained ankle. Everyone should be healthy enough for the Wolves.