The undefeated Los Angeles Lakers will take the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night.
Projected starting line-ups for both teams:
Lakers – Timberwolves
PG Derek Fisher – Sebastian Telfair
SG Kobe Bryant – Corey Brewer
SF Ron Artest – Michael Beasley
PF Lamar Odom – Kevin Love
C Pau Gasol – Darko Milicic
The Timberwolves unsurprisingly started the season poorly, with a 1-6 record. On Sunday, the T-Wolves handed the Houston Rockets their first win of the season. Minnesota is one of two teams in the league that have only three players averaging double digit points per game (other team: New Jersey Nets). The Wolves also hold the league’s worst field goal percentage this season, averaging 38.7% from the floor.
Rambis will most likely place Corey Brewer in the line-up for defensive purposes on Kobe Bryant, to TRY and slow him down just a little. Beasley recently came back from a hip injury he received while playing against the Miami Heat. Beasley was supposed to be the face of this franchise after being traded in the off-season, but so far Kevin Love has proved a more dominant role for this team, leading the Wolves in both scoring and rebounding.
The Lakers are one of two teams that have a unbeaten record, the other team being the New Orleans Hornets, 6-0. The Lakers, who have won seven straight games, have beat teams by an average of 14 points a game. L.A. has won eight straight home games against the Timberwolves in the regular season.
Talented rookies Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter have played limited minutes in the regular season, but have been giving solid efforts. Coach Phil Jackson stated recently he wanted both rookies to be sent to the Developmental League for great experience and overall playing time. If Ebanks and Caracter were to be sent to the D-League soon, expect Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton to play in bigger positions.
Injury report: Timberwolves
– Luke Ridnour tweaked his ankle Sunday night, and is listed as day-to-day. He didn’t participate in the recent Timberwolves practice.
– Jonny Flynn (hip)
– Martell Webster (back)
Injury report Lakers
– Andrew Bynum (knee)
Timberwolves @ Lakers
Staples Center, Los Angeles California
7:30 PST
TV: Fox West
Radio: 710/1330 AM ESPN