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Scouting Report: Timberwolves vs. Bucks

Timberwolves vs. Bucks | 7:00 PM, Target Center

Where To Watch: Fox Sports North Plus

Where to Listen 830 WCCO

This will be all about the kids.

There’s Andrew Wiggins. There’s Zach LaVine. There’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. And of course Jabari Parker.

There is a lot of high-flying talent in this game, which should get fans excited for the present and the future of Midwest basketball.

There is another kid on the court. Well, Kidd. Jason Kidd that is. Kidd was traded to the Bucks this offseason via the Nets. He’ll be going up against a coach in Flip Saunders who scouted him time-after-time during Kidd’s playing career.

Minnesota enters tonight's game with a 3-9 record, while the Bucks sit at 8-7.

A jersey auction will also take place after the game. For more information, click here.

LAST MEETING

The neighboring teams met twice last season and the Wolves were able to come away with two wins.

The last game came on March 11 at the Target Center when Minnesota beat Milwaukee 112-101. Kevin Love (now with Cavaliers) led Minnesota with 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. The “other” Kevin (Martin) added 26 points. J.J. Barea (now with Mavericks) led the second unit with 19 points, shooting 7-of-10 from the field. Nikola Pekovic finished with 14 points in 23 minutes, while Ricky Rubio added 11 points and 10 assists. The Wolves had nine steals – five were from Rubio and Corey Brewer.

Milwaukee was led by Brandon Knight’s 21 points. St. Cloud native Nate Wolters added 14 points, while Jeff Adrien (now with Rockets) added 12 off the bench. Khris Middleton and Ramon Sessions (now with Kings) had 11 points each. The Bucks shot a scorching 52.7 percent from the field but committed 15 turnovers.

THIS WEEK’S RESULTS

The Wolves are coming off of a 113-101 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.

Wiggins had his best night as a pro, finishing with a career-high 29 points going with five rebounds and four steals. Wiggins played nearly 42 

minutes and was 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Brewer added 14 points in 30 minutes. Big man Gorgui Dieng finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Mo Williams also had a double-double while filling in for Rubio, finishing with 11 points and 12 assists. Chase Budinger played nearly 25 minutes and led the second unit with 11 points.

Minnesota was outrebounded by Sacramento 50-37.

The Bucks are coming off of a 98-86 win over the Pistons in Milwaukee last night. Knight led Milwaukee witwh 20 points, while O.J. Mayo added 17. Parker nearly added a double-double, finishing with 14 points and nine boards. Larry Sanders also had nine rebounds to go with 12 points. Milwaukee shot 10-of-22 from the three-point line. 

KEY MATCHUP: ANDREW WIGGINS VS. JABARI PARKER

This marks the first regular season matchup between the two top prospects in last year’s draft. Wiggins, of course, was drafted first overall by Cleveland before being traded to Minnesota. Parker, the former Blue Devil, was taken second by the Bucks.These two players are the early favorites to win the Rookie of the Year Award, and for good reason. Both of these players are pretty darn good.

Wiggins is more of a defensive-minded player, although he is coming off a career-high 29 points and has fared better offensively than Parked thus far.

This season, Wiggins is averaging 12.5 points (1st among rookies) and 3.5 rebounds (8th among rookies) while hitting 2.7 free throws per game (1st among rookies).

Parker has been on the floor for nearly a minute per game longer per game than Wiggins this season. He’s averaging 11.6 points (2nd among rookies) and 5.6 rebounds (2nd among rookies), while shooting 44.4 percent from the field (2.2 percent higher than Wiggins).

The two might not be matched up against each other. Kidd has played Parker at the 4 as well as the 3, while Wiggins has stayed on the wing.

Whether they guard each other or not, eyes will be on the two rookies tonight at the Target Center.

Bucks: Johnny O’Bryant III and Damien Inglis (foot) are out indefinitely.

Wolves: Ricky Rubio (ankle), Nikola Pekovic (sprained wrist), Kevin Martin (fractured wrist) and Ronny Turiaf (hip) are out. Mo Williams (illness) is questionable. 

PROJECTED STARTERS 

Bucks: PG – Knight, SG – Middleton, SF – Antetokounmpo, PF- Parker, C - Sanders

Wolves:  PG – Williams, SG - Brewer, SF - Wiggins, PF - Bennett, C - Dieng