HHH GameTime Preview: Heat visit Timberwolves

The Heat will tip off against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN tonight at 8PM. It's the first of two games this season between the two infrequent opponents, with the rematch set for AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on November 17th.

For Miami, this is the first game of a short two-game roadtrip. Tomorrow they'll visit Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN to face the Pacers before returning home for a season-high seven game homestand. They're coming off a two game homestand in which they defeated the Houston Rockets 109-89 on Sunday and lost to the Atlanta Hawks, 98-92 on Tuesday.

The Wolves are closing up a two-game homestand. They lost the first contest, 106-101 to the Portland Trail Blazers. After tonight's game, they'll hit the road to face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday and the Hawks on Monday.

These two teams last met on February 4th, last season. The 8-40 Timberwolves shocked the 21-27 Heat with just their ninth win of the season. Kevin Martin led them with 30 points, while Mo Williams came off the bench for 10 points and 10 assists. For Miami, Hassan Whiteside went 12-for-13 from the floor for 24 points, along with 20 rebounds. Luol Deng pitched in with 18 points. It was pretty bogus there at the end, as the Heat dropped it, 102-101.

NBA.COM Full Recap

We're about to be out of the playoff race. I mean, not the race, but as far as the seeding we're about to be out. And we're not concentrating. I don't understand that. - Chris Bosh, who had 14 points and five boards in the loss

Basketball Reference Box Score

Canis Hoopus has more on Minnesota.

Miami's last game was a 98-92 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday night at the AAA. Hassan Whiteside led the Heat with 23 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks, while Chris Bosh had nine points and 14 rebounds of his own. Jeff Teague had 26 points and nine assists for Atlanta, and Al Horford scored 17 points and 13 boards.

NBA.COM Full Recap

We were able to fight back. That is an admirable quality of this group. But learning how close the margin for error can be is a lesson. - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra

Basketball Reference Box Score

Peachtree Hoops has more on the Hawks.

Minnesota's last game would see the Wolves drop a 106-101 decision to the Portland Trail Blazers. Kevin Martin led them off the bench with 24, while Ricky Rubio had 12 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in a losing effort. The Blazers were led by Damien Lillard's 34 points and seven assists.

NBA.COM Full Recap

We'll learn from it - Martin

Basketball Reference Box Score

The Trail Blazers are represented at SB Nation by Blazers Edge.

GameTime: 8PM, EST

Odds:

All-Time: Miami leads, 29-21 in head-to-head matchups with the Timberwolves.

Standings

Miami Heat: 2-2, .500, on pace for 41-41. Third in the Southeast Division, seventh in the Eastern Conference, tied for 15th in the NBA. Last Five: x-W-L-W-L. Playoff Odds: 54%

Minnesota Timberwolves: 2-1, .667, on pace for 54-28. First in the Northwest Division, third in the Western Conference, eighth in the NBA. Last Five: x-x-W-W-L. Playoff Odds: 57%

Injury Report

Miami Heat

Gerald Green	2015-11-03	Illness	Green missed the last game with an illness and is questionable to play Thursday against the Timberwolves.
Amar'e Stoudemire	2015-11-01	Knee	Stoudemire has missed the last two games dealing with soreness in his knees and is questionable to play Thursday against the Timberwolves.
Dwyane Wade	2015-11-04	Head	Wade left the last game due to a possible migraine but is likely to play Thursday against the Timberwolves.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Nikola Pekovic

2015-09-23

Ankle

Pekovic is dealing with a recurring Achilles injury and there is no timetable for his recovery.

Injury Report courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com

Probable Starters

Miami Heat

PG - Goran Dragic

SG - Dwyane Wade

C - Hassan Whiteside

SF - Luol Deng

PF - Chris Bosh

Minnesota Timberwolves

PG - Ricky Rubio

SG - Andrew Wiggins

C - Karl-Anthony Towns

SF - Tayshaun Prince

PF - Kevin Garnett

Common Thread

Gerald Green played 29 games for the 2007-08 Timberwolves, averaging five points, two rebounds, and an assist per game.

Milestones

Luol Deng will tie Dorell Wright in 44th place all-time with five free throws, giving him 200.

Four offensive rebounds for Dwyane Wade will see him join the 1,000 club, along with Udonis Haslem, Rony Seikaly, Grant Long and Alonzo Mourning.

Mario Chalmers needs three assists for 2,000, joining Dwyane Wade and Tim Hardaway as the third Heat player to eclipse the mark. His next block will tie him for 29th all time with Isaac Austin, at 77.

With two steals, Chris Bosh will tie Mourning in 12th with his 304th. Two blocks will move him into a tie for sixth all-time with PJ Brown, at 305. He's currently ninth all-time in scoring for the Heat, and will pass 6,000 with 40 points.

Hassan Whiteside's next block will tie him with Kevin Edwards with 138, in 19th place on Miami's all-time leaderboard.

With two more blocks, Udonis Haslem will tie Eddie Jones in eighth all-time with 246.

Musical Accompaniment

So, Prince is from Minneapolis...(this is better than you think, but fast-forward to 3:12 to save a little time)

Thanks for reading the Hot Hot Hoops game preview to get you all set up right for tonight's fight in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." Keep it here for everything Heat, all the time, forever - and make sure you come back for the live GameThread and free sandwiches, tonight at 7:30PM.