By Kyle Soppe
The “Soppe sleeper playoff team” Timberwolves dropped a 122 spot on the unsuspecting Trailblazers, putting them above .500 for the first time. Portland scored the third most points in the NBA last night (110), but ran out of steam in the 12 point loss.
Kevin Love is the top power forward in the league, and proved it again last night. The 2012 Three Point Champion drilled five long balls against Portland, more than he hit in the previous six games combined. Love set season highs in field goal attempts (27), makes (15), and points (42). The double double was his 13th in 14 games, but his four assists tied for his second most in a game this season.
In the last six weeks, the T-wolves have only won two games in which they failed to score 100+ points.
Ricky “Testigo” Rubio notched 12 dimes, but only six points; the 11th time this season that the Spanish rookie has had more assists than points. A troubling stat for #9 is his inability to be an efficient scorer. He doesn’t need to fill up the point column, but this is the third time in four games in which he has connected on one of eight field goal attempts. He has made just 52/158 shots since the begging of February.
Derrick Williams has seen his offensive involvement sky rocket of late, as he has tallied at least 13 points in three of his last five games, all win for Minnesota. His rebounds per game (5.6) and points per game (14.2) are considerably higher over his last five games than for the previous 34 (8ppg and 4rpg). However, last night the T-wolves were outscored by nine points for the 22 minutes he was on the court.
Wes Johnson connected on multiple three pointers for the first time in 21 games.
Martell Webster poured in 21 points on 7/10 shooting. He is shooting 66.7% over his last four games, averaging 13.8 points over that stretch (averages 6.9 ppg for the season). His eight rebounds were a season high, and I expect him to eclipse that number in the near future as his minutes are on the rise.
Want to score on Minnesota? Look to high bred guard/forward players. Gerald Wallace, Nicolas Batum, and Jamal Crawford all scored at least 20 points and totaled 70% of Portland’s points. The trio also had 20 rebounds and seven steals, as they kept Portland in the game. In fact, Wallace’s five thefts were more than the T-wolves had as a team.
The Trailblazers have lost the last four games in which Wallace plays at least 40 minutes.
The home team score 28+ points in three of four quarters, something the visitors did only twice.
Easy money bet for the next Portland game .. LaMarcus Aldridge records a double double. He has gone five straight without one for the fourth time this season. But he has always responded to a big performance.
Raymond Felton has taken some time off to work on conditioning, but his production indicates that there is still plenty of work to be done. The point guard is shooting under 24% over his last three games, and has eight fouls as compared to 11 points. Amazingly enough, his team outscored Minnesota when he was on the court, the only player who can say that for the Trailblazers.
Marcus Camby had more rebounds (4) than points (0) for the sixth time in seven games.
Eight games today, including Rondo vs Lin and Kobe vs LeBron. Where should I look to uncover hidden stats?
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