Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: match preview, prediction, time, TV channel

The Portland Trail Blazers will look to make amends for the mess they created on the court during Sunday’s 134-89 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

What that might look like is anyone’s guess.

The Blazers play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday and Wednesday. The same team that defeated the Blazers 127-102 in Minnesota on Friday.

The game is the Blazers’ first in the season tournament.

There are a lot of bad matchups for the Blazers in the NBA. Minnesota is one of the worst. The Timberwolves rank sixth in three-point shooting (39.3%) and seventh in both defensive rating (109.7) and net rating (plus-5.6).

Plus, Minnesota has a lofty superstar in Anthony Edwards, who led the Blazers for 37 points on Friday while shooting 9 of 15 from three-point range.

The Blazers aren’t that good. They rank 23rd in defensive rating (116.1), 29th in net rating (minus-10.8) and 29th in three-point shooting (30.2%).

Additionally, the Blazers’ best player, Anferee Simons, is off to a slow start and hasn’t shown the ability to match Edwards’ firepower.

Simons is averaging 17.5 points while shooting 38.1% from the field and 30.1% from three-point range, both career lows.

“I’m just trying to figure it out,” Simons said Sunday. “Try not to get too carried away by outside expectations. I just do my best to find ways to help the team in the best way possible so we can become a better team.

Whether that looks like I score 30 or single nights, it could be less than that. I just try to find different ways to influence the team. That’s where my main focus is.”

Until Simons snaps out of his funk, the Blazers won’t be beating teams like the Timberwolves in the near future.

Prediction: The Blazers need to prove they can at least hold a contender before they’re ever picked to beat one again. Timberwolves all the way.

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PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS VS. MINNESOTA TIMBER WOLVES

What: Trail Blazers (3-8) vs. Timberwolves (6-4), 7 p.m., Tuesday.

Where: Moda center,

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

TV channel: KATU Charge (antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Comcast: 302 and 1170. DirecTV and Dish: available January 1).

How to watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE using an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (cost 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost about $20. You can buy one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or Amazon and have it delivered to your home quickly. Here are some instructions for installing an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is broadcasting in your area by using the channel finder here.

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CHANCES (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Moneyline: POR +320 | MIN-410

Spread: POR +9 | Top/Bottom: 220.5

INJURIES

Wind players: Deandre Ayton (sprain right index finger) and Matisse Thybulle (inflammation of the right knee) are out.

Timberwolves: No.

NEXT

The Blazers will host the Timberwolves again on Wednesday at 7 p.m.