Minnesota Timberwolves DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle posted the highest scoring total for the team and did everything he could to squeak out a win, but ultimately fell short. In the four-point loss, Randle finished with 32 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and four turnovers. He shot 12-for-23 from the floor, 2-for-7 from deep, and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. This was his seventh 30-point game of the season and his eighth with 30 or more. Interestingly enough, the Knicks are 4-4 when Randle scores at least 30 points. For those fantasy managers who have Randle in category leagues, he's producing top-50 value as long as the team doesn't depend on low turnover totals. He's been a force for the Knicks this season and it's been great to see him bounce back from some tough times in New York.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (rest) isn't spotted on the team's injury report leading into Friday's matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers. Minnesota gave Conley, who had participated in all of their 36 games this season, a night off for Wednesday's loss to the Boston Celtics, but they will have him available on Friday. Disruptive defender Nickeil Alexander-Walker filled the void in head coach Chris Finch's starting backcourt against the Celtics, notching 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, three treys, one steal, and one block in Wednesday's 40-minute spot start. Look for NAW to return to the bench and lose fantasy value on Friday. Kyle Anderson has a chance to remain in the first unit, however, with the 'Wolves listing Rudy Gobert (hip) as questionable after sitting out on Wednesday.

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch says center Rudy Gobert (hip) is out on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics. Gobert is dealing with soreness in his left hip and will sit out on the second half of Minnesota's back-to-back set. Though some of the luster from this clash of the titans may be dissipated with Kristaps Porzingis (knee) also out for Boston, Gobert's absence is a big upgrade for the outlooks of Al Horford and the Celtics' ability to penetrate the paint. Karl-Anthony Towns would figure to be joined in the starting frontcourt by per-minute machine Naz Reid, who deserves plenty of DFS attention on Wednesday. In 12 games without Gobert in 2022-23, Reid averaged 16.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 treys, and 2.4 combined steals and blocks. Point forward Kyle Anderson should also get more playing time to match up with a Celts squad missing their top big man.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (rest) will sit out Wednesday's duel with the Boston Celtics for maintenance purposes. Conley has been available for all 36 of Minnesota's games this year, so he will get a breather on the second half of a back-to-back after logging his third double-double of the campaign in Tuesday's win over the Orlando Magic. It's been a workmanlike season for the 36-year-old former All-Star during his first full year in Minny, attaining top-75 value in nine-category fantasy leagues on 11.2 points, 6.3 assists, 2.4 threes, and 1.0 steals per game while going 48-for-51 at the free-throw line overall. Look for Conley to return on Friday versus the Portland Trail Blazers and Anthony Edwards to assume primary ball-handling and facilitating duties on Wednesday. Jordan McLaughlin could draw the spot start at the point, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker should also get more run.

Orlando Magic forward Joe Ingles (ankle) has been ruled out for a 12th consecutive game ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Minnesota. He's nearing a month-long absence, having last played on Dec. 15 against Boston. Caleb Houstan has received a larger role in the rotation without Ingles and even started Sunday versus Atlanta with Franz Wagner (ankle) also missing. He had a great game with 25 points, but Houstan's efforts have been inconsistent, and he faces a much better defense on Tuesday, so the 20-year-old could easily leave fantasy managers disappointed.