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With two Kevins out, Wolves start big lineup at Knicks

Madison Square Garden game is a homecoming for Wolves rookie Karl-Anthony Towns.

December 17, 2015 at 12:04AM
Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) and forward Kevin Garnett (21) won't play Wednesday night against the Knicks.
Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) and forward Kevin Garnett (21) won't play Wednesday night against the Knicks. (Associated Press file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

There will changes tonight at Madison Square Garden, just like Sam Mitchell promised after Tuesday's bad loss to Denver.

But they're not all his choice tonight against the Knicks in a game that's a homecoming for Wolves rookie Karl Anthony-Towns, born and raised just acorss the river in New Jersey.

Kevin Martin will not play because that sprained right wrist -- "My problem child," he called it tonight -- continues to bother him and Kevin Garnett will rest on the second half of back-to-back games.

Martin said he'll have an MRI on that wrist tomorrow after the team returns home tonight so medical staff can get a better look at that wrist's ligaments.

"Well, I don't have to make 'em," Mitchell said about those changes he hinted about on Tuesday night. "Whatever thoughts and dreams that I had, they kind of make it for us."

Those changes tonight will result in a big starting lineup aimed at improving the team's defense, which has slumped since Mitchell removed Tayshaun Prince from the starters and added Martin in an attempt to get more offense.

Mitchell will start centers Gorgui Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns against each other up front, with Prince at small forward and Andrew Wiggins moved back to shooting guard alongside Ricky Rubio.

That gives him two big bodies against Knicks center Robin Lopez and 7-3 rookie Kristaps Porzingis.

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about the writer

about the writer

Jerry Zgoda

Reporter

Jerry Zgoda covers Minnesota United FC and Major League Soccer for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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