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Wizards vs. Timberwolves preview: Washington aims to close out perfect road trip

By Jake Whitacre
NBA: Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Game Info

When: Monday, March 13 at 8:00 pm EST
Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: CSN Mid-Atlantic
Radio: 1500 AM and Wizards Radio App

Injury Report

Wizards: None

Timberwolves: Zach LaVine (Out, ACL), Nikola Pekovic (Out, Achilles), Adreian Payne (Out, Illness)

What to Watch for

Can the Wizards sweep their road trip?

Washington hasn’t played a single team with a winning record during five game road trip, but it’s still very impressive that the Wizards are in a position where they can go 5-0 during this road trip. They survived being down double-digits in the second half against very pesky Suns and Kings squads and they held off the Nuggets and the Blazers on the second night of back-to-back sets, even though they’re both fighting for playoff positioning. Now, the Wizards have a chance to run the table and win their sixth-straight road game, something they haven’t done since 2001.

To get it done, they’ll have to get past a team who knows a little something about messing with the Wizards’ plans in March. Last season, Minnesota beat Washington 132-129 in double-overtime, effectively ending Washington’s chance of making the playoffs. And just like last year, the Timberwolves are starting to hit their stride in March. They beat the Jazz on the road, lost a close one to the Spurs in overtime, and then followed it up with wins over the Clippers and Warriors.

Win or lose, it will be a very successful road trip thanks to what they’ve already accomplished, but another win would be an impressive way to cap one of their best road trips in recent memory.

Most Likely Wizards Killer: Gorgui Dieng

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Dieng has had big games in his last two outings against Washington. He had 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in their win over Washington last season, and had 15 points and 11 rebounds when they faced off earlier this season. If he can control the paint against the Wizards’ bench, it could be a difficult night.