Minnesota Timberwolves (3-10) at Los Angeles Lakers (3-12) 7:30 PM Pacific The Lakers and Timberwolves face off for the first time this season in a matchup few will mistake for a meeting of juggernauts. Expect the ineptitude to focus on the defensive side of the court. The only NBA team worse defensively than Minnesota is the Lakers. While no other team in the NBA allows more than 107.2 per game, the Wolves are surrendering 109.7 and the Lakers check in at 110.8. The Wolves have had the Lakers' number lately, and they took three of four last season's series. They did so in spectacular fashion, winning those three games by a combined 69 points. There is, however, good news for Lakers fans. Kevin Love and Kevin Martin combined for 193 points in the series, a ridiculous 48.3 per game. Fortunately for the Lakers Love is in Cleveland and Martin is down with a wrist injury. That still leaves a few challenges for the Lakers. Ricky Rubio averaged 8 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds in the four game series last season. Nikola Pekovic added 20.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in the three games he played. LA's Nick Young averaged 16 points per game, including two 20-point efforts. It was a defensive effort that led the Lakers to their sole win in the series: they racked up 7 steals and 9 blocks, including 2 by Robert Sacre. Sacre posted some of his best numbers against the Wolves last season, averaging 10 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 24.2 MPG. Perhaps LA's defense, which has shown signs of hope lately, will rise to the occasion. Projection: Lakers 106 Wolves 102 Image: Stephen Dunn Getty Images
