As Memphis hits town, it's all about draft lottery

Last update: April 5, 2008 - 9:08 PM

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That other team from Memphis plays today.

The Timberwolves' 5:30 p.m. game against the Grizzlies at Target Center begins a week in which the two teams that are running neck-and-neck in the NBA draft-lottery sweepstakes play twice in six days.

The Wolves' 19 victories are the third-fewest in the league, ahead of Miami's 13 and Seattle's 17 but one behind the 20 games won by Memphis and New York.

At stake in the season's final 10 days: anywhere from a 15.6 to 8.8 percent chance of getting the draft's No. 1 pick, depending on how the Wolves, Grizzlies and Knicks finish the season.

The winner of the May 20 lottery will get its choice between Kansas State freshman forward Michael Beasley and Memphis freshman guard Derrick Rose, provided both enter the draft, as expected.

The Wolves on Saturday morning flew from Phoenix after Friday's 117-88 loss to the Suns and took the day off from practice.

JERRY ZGODA