Timberwolves Vs. Trail Blazers: Minnesota Clings To Playoff Hopes When They Visit Portland

Two teams with fading playoff hopes meet on Sunday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Portland Trail Blazers.

After a promising start to the season, the Timberwolves begin April in Portland with the end of the regular season schedule in sight which may again be the end of the season for Minnesota. The Wolves are currently three and a half games behind Denver for the final playoff spot but have recently been passed by Phoenix and Utah in the standings. Minnesota is coming off of a dispiriting 100-79 loss at home to the Boston Celtics on Friday.

Portland continues limping toward the end of the season after trade deadline moves and a coaching change weren't enough to help the Blazers gain any traction for the rest of the season. The Blazers took another hit recently after LaMarcus Aldridge hyper-extended his elbow on Thursday forcing him to miss Portland's last game against the Los Angeles Clippers. If Aldridge can't play tonight, recently acquired J.J. Hickson will match up with Kevin Love at power forward.

The game is scheduled to tip at 9:00 p.m. ET and will be televised on Fox Sports North and NBA TV.

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