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Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 keys to a Blazers victory tonight

By Marlow Ferguson Jr.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 09: Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game at Target Center on January 9, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 09: Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game at Target Center on January 9, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers (Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports) /

No. 2: Match Minnesota’s energy and hustle

This season, the Portland Trail Blazers are 3-0 when they outhustle the opponent and win the rebounding battle … which would be celebratory if they hadn’t already played seven games.

The Timberwolves aren’t the most talented team, but they’ve been able to make up for it with hustle and grit. While they’re a subpar at finishing defensive possessions with boards, only two teams in the NBA corral more offensive rebounds off the glass.

It becomes sort of a double whammy with Portland being one of the NBA’s weaker teams in terms of boxing out.

Minnesota, as stated, will be without their versatile, All-Star big in Karl-Anthony Towns, but that opens the door for hungrier, more unheralded players. In their home-and-home series against the Denver Nuggets, the Timberwolves opened with Ed Davis, a player often cherished in Portland more for his energy and rebounding.

Towns’ injury has also opened the door for Jarred Vanderbilt, a high-energy big. Lauded by coaches for his energy, he had 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in just 23 minutes on Tuesday.

The need to match energy for energy could be a deciding factor in tonight’s game. Portland has players capable of providing that spark — think Harry Giles III. The question is, will how far down will Terry Stotts look on his bench, should the starters not provide that?