PORTLAND, Oregon -- The Minnesota Timberwolves will have the edge in momentum when they square off with the Portland Trail Blazers for the third time in five weeks Saturday night at Moda Center.
The Timberwolves, who have won nine of their last 12 games since trading Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia, cruised past Charlotte 121-104 Wednesday to go above .500 (13-12) for the first time all season.
A victory over Portland (14-11) would draw Minnesota even with the Trail Blazers in the tight Western Conference race. The Blazers, who had lost three in a row and eight of 11, got back on the winning track with a 108-86 dismantling of the woeful Phoenix Suns Thursday at Moda Center.