Game Preview: 3 Things to Watch for as the Blazers Face the Timberwolves

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 24: Damian Lillard
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 24: Damian Lillard
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Portland Trail Blazers
Minnesota Timberwolves Jimmy Butler (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

No Jimmy Butler

Uncertainty has surrounded the Minnesota Timberwolves ever since Jimmy Butler requested a trade in September. Tom Thibideau and the Timberwolves have been hesitant to trade Butler, so despite Butler clearly not wanting to be in Minnesota, he is still there.

To make matters worse for the Timberwolves, Butler has enacted a six-week plan to get himself out of Minnesota. This plan includes sitting out of certain games, which will include tonight’s matchup with the Blazers.

Shams Charania of the Athletic first reported the news:

Butler sat out of the Timberwolves game against the Utah Jazz on October 31, but he then played against the Golden State Warriors on November 2.

Butler was not listed on the Timberwolves injury report, but he will still not play in tonight’s game.

Timberwolves PR first broke the news earlier today:

The Blazers should take advantage of this opportunity. Butler is unquestionably the Timberwolves best player, and the Blazers have much better odds of winning tonight without him on the court.

Derrick Rose, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Andrew Wiggins will have to have big games for the Timberwolves to have a legitimate shot at winning tonight.