Battle in Boston

The two top teams in each conference just faced off in a battle that went to overtime. Boston took the win in the Garden by seven in overtime, but that wasn’t their first overtime battle this season. In what could have been a potential finals preview, both games between the Celtics and Timberwolves went to overtime, with the home team winning. For the Wolves to take the next step as an actual threat, their young players will have to prove themselves in the playoffs. In the most recent matchup with Boston, they were led by Anthony Edwards with 29 points.

Edwards leads the Timberwolves in scoring with 26.3 PPG. The former number one pick is still just 22-years old and is averaging career highs in points, assists and three point percentage. Karl-Anthony Towns is a strong scorer in the post, he adds 21.8 PPG and grabs 9.0 RPG. Towns has scored 22 or more in his last six games. Their third leading scorer comes off the bench, big man Naz Reid leads the second unit and scores 12.8 PPG with 5.0 RPG. Rudy Gobert is a rim protector that can finish around the rim, he adds another 12.8 PPG and 12.0 RPG. Mike Conley runs the point and leads the team in assists with 6.3 per game while adding 11.2 PPG.

Jaden McDaniels brings energy and defense to the starting lineup, he also adds 10.4 PPG. Other than Reid, the top contributors off the bench are Kyle Anderson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Minnesota is ranked 17th in offensive efficiency and 1st in defensive efficiency. The T-Wolves play at the 22nd fastest tempo in the league.

Youth Movement in Portland

The Blazers are building for the future, they have a young core, and their starting lineup just got even younger. Portland moved their number 2 pick Scoot Henderson to the starting lineup, giving the young prospect more minutes and looks against top competition. Henderson is in no position to win the Rookie of the Year, as Wembanyama and Holmgren are heavy betting favorites, but Portland is hoping Henderson can increase his production in his new role. In their last game, Portland was led by Jerami Grant with 21 points in the loss to the Knicks.

Portland is led in scoring by 24-year old guard Anfernee Simons with 24.6 PPG, and he also adds 5.3 APG and 3.5 RPG. Simons is a streaky scorer, he went off for 38 in their last win coming against Brooklyn, but had just six points in 23 minutes in the previous game. Jerami Grant got a five year, $160 million dollar contract with the Blazers, he is their second leading scorer at 21.8 PPG, but only grabs 3.6 RPG which is surprising given his athleticism. Scoot Henderson is not a starter, and is averaging 12.1 PPG and 5.0 APG in his role. DeAndre Ayton has been out of the lineup lately with a knee injury, leaving the Blazers to start Duop Reath at center with his 8.8 PPG. Toumani Camara has been the fifth starter, the role player adds 7.1 PPG.

The Blazers bring two of their best players off the bench, Shaedon Sharpe is a rising star scoring 16.2 PPG, and Malcolm Brogdon is a reliable veteran point guard scoring 14.9 PPG and leading the team with 5.2 APG. Portland ranks 30th in the NBA in offensive efficiency and 19th in defensive efficiency. The Blazers play the the 9th fastest tempo in the league.