Minnesota (23 - 59)

Expert Pick
33% ·······><············· 67%

Sacramento (33 - 49)

Holding Up The West


Holding Up The West Not every team can be at the top of the table and for various reasons, injuries, wrong bs, lack of talent etc. These squads have found themselves at the bottom of the West looking up. I don’t expect both these teams to finish down here with both sliding into DMs left, right and centre so more trades might be on the horizon. Klemm has has years to build this team in his image and the Wolves are still discovering their identity. Let’s see if either can be found during this one. CJ McCollum vs Jeremiah Fears This matchup feels like a vinyl record playing next to someone discovering streaming for the first time. CJ McCollum’s game is smooth polished and deeply comfortable. He lives in the midrange using footwork, patience and timing like someone who has solved this puzzle before. Every dribble has intent and every pull-up feels inevitable. Jeremiah Fears brings curiosity, speed and fearlessness. He attacks gaps confidently, tests defenders and is not afraid to try something bold even if it ends poorly. Fears might win a few early exchanges just by being unpredictable but CJ excels once the game settles. He controls tempo slows everything down and punishes mistakes in a way only a veteran can. When possessions matter more than energy, McCollum’s experience and shot-making give him the clear edge. Winner: CJ McCollum Norman Powell vs Andre Jackson Jr. This matchup is a heat lamp versus a utility belt. Norman Powell exists to score and when he gets going everything accelerates. He attacks closeouts confidently, fires threes without hesitation and stacks points in a hurry. Andre Jackson Jr. contributes everywhere else. He defends, rebounds, passes, cuts and keeps plays alive through effort alone. Jackson fills gaps and Powell fills the scoreboard. Over a full game Jackson’s activity matters but Powell’s scoring bursts swing momentum faster than hustle ever could. A couple made shots can change the tone of an entire quarter and Powell specializes in those moments. Effort is admirable but buckets still rule. Winner: Norman Powell Naji Marshall vs Bryce McGowens This matchup feels like duct tape versus a fresh sketchbook. Naji Marshall holds things together. He defends multiple positions attacks the rim with purpose and understands his role completely. Bryce McGowens brings length, confidence and experimentation. He tries shots, explores space and tests what works in real time. Sometimes it clicks and sometimes it does not. Marshall thrives in messier games because he simplifies them. When possessions break down Marshall’s physicality, discipline and decision-making shine. McGowens flashes upside but Marshall delivers reliability. In a game that will not be pretty dependable usually wins. Winner: Naji Marshall Jerami Grant vs Julian Phillips This matchup is a tailored jacket versus gym shorts. Jerami Grant plays with polish and balance. He scores at all three levels, defends with length and never rushes. Julian Phillips brings bounce, effort and youthful chaos. He runs hard defends, aggressively and looks to make something happen every chance he gets. Grant lets the game come to him while Phillips tries to push it forward. Over time composure wins. Grant finds mismatches creates clean looks and stays efficient while others speed up. Youth brings energy but experience brings answers. Winner: Jerami Grant Mitchell Robinson vs Jonas Valanciunas This matchup is a trampoline versus a brick wall. Mitchell Robinson flies around the paint, blocking shots catching lobs and creating chaos with his athleticism. Jonas Valanciunas operates with patience and strength. He claims space, rebounds everything within reach and scores methodically inside. Robinson’s bounce creates highlights but Valanciunas creates control. Over a full game physicality positioning and touch wear down energy and hops. Eventually strength wins the argument. Winner: Jonas Valanciunas

Not every team can be at the top of the table and for various reasons, injuries, wrong bs, lack of talent etc. These squads have found themselves at the bottom of the West looking up. I don’t expect both these teams to finish down here with both sliding into DMs left, right and centre so more trades might be on the horizon. Klemm has has years to build this team in his image and the Wolves are still discovering their identity. Let’s see if either can be found during this one.

CJ McCollum vs Jeremiah Fears

This matchup feels like a vinyl record playing next to someone discovering streaming for the first time. CJ McCollum’s game is smooth polished and deeply comfortable. He lives in the midrange using footwork, patience and timing like someone who has solved this puzzle before. Every dribble has intent and every pull-up feels inevitable. Jeremiah Fears brings curiosity, speed and fearlessness. He attacks gaps confidently, tests defenders and is not afraid to try something bold even if it ends poorly. Fears might win a few early exchanges just by being unpredictable but CJ excels once the game settles. He controls tempo slows everything down and punishes mistakes in a way only a veteran can. When possessions matter more than energy, McCollum’s experience and shot-making give him the clear edge.

Winner: CJ McCollum

Norman Powell vs Andre Jackson Jr.

This matchup is a heat lamp versus a utility belt. Norman Powell exists to score and when he gets going everything accelerates. He attacks closeouts confidently, fires threes without hesitation and stacks points in a hurry. Andre Jackson Jr. contributes everywhere else. He defends, rebounds, passes, cuts and keeps plays alive through effort alone. Jackson fills gaps and Powell fills the scoreboard. Over a full game Jackson’s activity matters but Powell’s scoring bursts swing momentum faster than hustle ever could. A couple made shots can change the tone of an entire quarter and Powell specializes in those moments. Effort is admirable but buckets still rule.

Winner: Norman Powell

Naji Marshall vs Bryce McGowens

This matchup feels like duct tape versus a fresh sketchbook. Naji Marshall holds things together. He defends multiple positions attacks the rim with purpose and understands his role completely. Bryce McGowens brings length, confidence and experimentation. He tries shots, explores space and tests what works in real time. Sometimes it clicks and sometimes it does not. Marshall thrives in messier games because he simplifies them. When possessions break down Marshall’s physicality, discipline and decision-making shine. McGowens flashes upside but Marshall delivers reliability. In a game that will not be pretty dependable usually wins.

Winner: Naji Marshall

Jerami Grant vs Julian Phillips

This matchup is a tailored jacket versus gym shorts. Jerami Grant plays with polish and balance. He scores at all three levels, defends with length and never rushes. Julian Phillips brings bounce, effort and youthful chaos. He runs hard defends, aggressively and looks to make something happen every chance he gets. Grant lets the game come to him while Phillips tries to push it forward. Over time composure wins. Grant finds mismatches creates clean looks and stays efficient while others speed up. Youth brings energy but experience brings answers.

Winner: Jerami Grant

Mitchell Robinson vs Jonas Valanciunas

This matchup is a trampoline versus a brick wall. Mitchell Robinson flies around the paint, blocking shots catching lobs and creating chaos with his athleticism. Jonas Valanciunas operates with patience and strength. He claims space, rebounds everything within reach and scores methodically inside. Robinson’s bounce creates highlights but Valanciunas creates control. Over a full game physicality positioning and touch wear down energy and hops. Eventually strength wins the argument.

Winner: Jonas Valanciunas

Timberwolves Star

Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas plays like gravity exists only for him. He lives in the paint carving out space with strength and patience. Every rebound feels claimed rather than contested and every post touch slows the game down.

He scores through contact sets crushing screens and punishes smaller defenders without rushing. His presence changes shot selection because bodies are not eager to challenge him inside.

When he is rolling, the pace drops possessions shorten and opponents start thinking twice about attacking the rim which quietly reshapes the entire game.

PPG 16.9

RPG 10.3

APG 2.7

SPG 1.3

BPG 1.4

FPG 2.0

TPG 1.1

PPG 22.5

RPG 4.4

APG 6.0

SPG 1.1

BPG 0.8

FPG 1.8

TPG 1.9

Kings Star

Norman Powell
Norman Powell’s game is built for momentum swings and sudden scoreboard panic. He plays like a microwave that only has one setting which is hot.

Powell attacks closeouts confidently finishes through contact and fires threes without hesitation. When he sees one go in the rim suddenly looks wider. He does not need many touches to change a game. A quiet five minutes can turn into twelve points and a timeout.

Defenses relax for a second and Powell makes them pay immediately.

X-Factor
Rebounding will quietly decide everything in this matchup even more than shot making or pace. With Jonas Valanciunas Mitchell Robinson and Al Horford involved every miss becomes a small battle. Valanciunas brings brute strength and positioning turning rebounds into guaranteed possessions. Robinson adds chaos with length timing and second jump ability creating extra chances out of nowhere. Horford balances both worlds using intelligence angles and timing to steal boards he has no business grabbing. If one of these three starts controlling the glass the game tilts fast. Extra possessions mean fewer transition opportunities and more half court grind. That matters in a game already low on rhythm. Rebounds also dictate confidence. When shots are missed but recovered momentum stays alive. Lose the rebounding fight and suddenly everything feels heavier including the scoreboard.

X-Factor

Rebounding will quietly decide everything in this matchup even more than shot making or pace. With Jonas Valanciunas Mitchell Robinson and Al Horford involved every miss becomes a small battle.

Valanciunas brings brute strength and positioning turning rebounds into guaranteed possessions.

Robinson adds chaos with length timing and second jump ability creating extra chances out of nowhere.

Horford balances both worlds using intelligence angles and timing to steal boards he has no business grabbing.

If one of these three starts controlling the glass the game tilts fast. Extra possessions mean fewer transition opportunities and more half court grind. That matters in a game already low on rhythm. Rebounds also dictate confidence. When shots are missed but recovered momentum stays alive. Lose the rebounding fight and suddenly everything feels heavier including the scoreboard.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Mason Plumlee () - 21 NBA Games missed this season Caris LeVert (--) - 15 NBA Games missed this season Tyler Herro () - 36 NBA Games missed this season Christian Braun () - 33 NBA Games missed this season Keegan Murray (--) - 30 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Jerami Grant (returning from ) - 16 NBA Games missed this season Norman Powell (returning from --) - 15 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Paul George (--) - 20 NBA Games missed this season Anthony Davis (--) - 30 NBA Games missed this season Blake Wesley () - 42 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Al Horford (returning from --) - 21 NBA Games missed this season Jonas Valanciunas (returning from ) - 13 NBA Games missed this season Cody Martin (returning from ) - 1 NBA Games missed this season

Injury Report

Injured Players:
Mason Plumlee () - 21 NBA Games missed this season
Caris LeVert (--) - 15 NBA Games missed this season
Tyler Herro () - 36 NBA Games missed this season
Christian Braun () - 33 NBA Games missed this season
Keegan Murray (--) - 30 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Jerami Grant (returning from ) - 16 NBA Games missed this season
Norman Powell (returning from --) - 15 NBA Games missed this season

Injured Players:
Paul George (--) - 20 NBA Games missed this season
Anthony Davis (--) - 30 NBA Games missed this season
Blake Wesley () - 42 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Al Horford (returning from --) - 21 NBA Games missed this season
Jonas Valanciunas (returning from ) - 13 NBA Games missed this season
Cody Martin (returning from ) - 1 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
As much as I like both GMs, I have to give this one to the wily vet in Klemm. Kings just have too much talent over the injury depleted Wolves. Sacremento by 16

	MEM	114
	LAL	123

	CHI	117
	NY	144

	NY	126
	CHI	105

	IND	109
	CLE	116

	LAL	126
	UTAH	99