Magic 115 - 120 Timberwolves
Final - OT
  for this game

Magic try to get on track in trip to Minnesota

Oct 30, 2013 - 2:22 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Timberwolves are counting on the 2013-14 season to be a good one and will get cracking Wednesday in their opener versus the Orlando Magic at Target Center.

Minnesota was plagued by injuries last season, most notably to star big man Kevin Love. The Wolves' core of Love, Ricky Rubio and Nikola Pekovic played just two games -- and 13 minutes -- together a season ago.

Rubio missed the early stages of the year while rehabbing from a torn ACL, which he suffered midway through his rookie campaign in 2011-12. Love was in and out of the lineup battling through a twice-broken hand and played just 18 games, while Pekovic missed time with a thigh injury.

"We all know what happened last year," said Love, who has a career record of 113-281 since getting picked fifth overall in 2008, on media day. "We just want to move forward and take care of the unfinished business."

Two key offseason acquisitions, Kevin Martin and Corey Brewer, will help address Minnesota's scoring woes. The team is also hoping 2011 No. 2 pick Derrick Williams can have a breakthrough campaign under veteran head coach Rick Adelman.

"Right now, talking to Rick (Adelman), we feel comfortable with the roster we have," President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders told the Star Tribune. "Not only is it balanced, but we feel we have talent at every position."

Orlando got its season off to a rough start in Tuesday's 97-87 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Andrew Nicholson led the Magic with 18 points off the bench, while Moe Harkless netted 14 points and both Jameer Nelson and rookie Victor Oladipo had 12.

"Once I got out there it all sunk in," Oladipo said of his first pro game. "It's not all going to come overnight. ... I just have to be patient."

Orlando shot just 39 percent from the field and was outscored 28-23 in the fourth quarter. The Pacers had 18 blocks, one shy of a franchise record.

The Magic and Timberwolves split two matchups last season, but Orlando is 10-3 in the previous 13 meetings in this series.






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