Excitement was high for the tip-off of the second annual NBA Cup as the Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to Oregon for a late tip for the local fans, starting at 9:00 p.m. CT. Gray roses flooded the court as the Wolves looked to go 1-0 in their pool and make it out of their division. This game marked the second of three meetings that spanned six days between these two squads. The Portland Trail Blazers were depleted as DeAndre Ayton was a late scratch from their usual starting line-up.
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The Wolves started the first quarter extremely sluggish on both ends of the floor.