Previewing tonight's Timberwolves face-off and other sports news
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, center, goes up for a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert, right, and Karl-Anthony Towns during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Dec. 20.
Matt Slocum | AP
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The Timberwolves have dominated this season, but they’ll face some tough competition tonight when they play the Los Angeles Lakers at the Target Center. And the Vikings face an important game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
For more on what to expect, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.
Wally is the founder of Minnesota Score Sports Magazine and co-host of the sports talk show 10,000 Takes. Eric is the other host of that show and Vikings reporter for CBS Sports radio’s Eye on the NFL.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.
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Audio transcript
CATHY WURZER: The Timberwolves have dominated this season, but they're going to face some tough competition tonight when they play the LA Lakers at the Target Center. And the Vikings face an important game against the Detroit Lions at US Bank Stadium Sunday. Here to talk about what to expect, Wally Langfellow, Eric Nelson. Wally's the founder of Minnesota Score sports magazine and the co-host of the sports talk show, 10,000 Takes. Eric is the other host of that show and Vikings reporter for CBS Sports Radio's Eye on the NFL. Hey, guys.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Cathy. How are you?
ERIC NELSON: Happy holidays.
CATHY WURZER: I'm fine. Happy holidays to you both. Wally, Lakers and the T-Wolves. 8:00 PM start. What about it?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Well, it's a Timberwolves team that seems to bounce back after every setback. Oh, by the way, they have not lost two in a row all this year. So if you're a betting person or if you're somebody that just likes to see them win, tonight would be a good bet because they have the Lakers at home. But as I just said, they haven't lost two in a row all year. They have the best record in the Western Conference, 20 wins and 6 losses.
They're coming off the loss last night to Philadelphia and Joel Embiid. Now Embiid didn't play when the 76ers were here about a month or so ago. As a matter of fact, I think a lot of folks were disappointed. That's one of those days where they just gave him the day off. And so fans did not get to see the reigning MVP when he came to Target Center. But he beat up on the Wolves last night with 51 points. So the Timberwolves do lose last night.
But as I said, they have been very resilient this year. The combination of Anthony Edwards, and Karl Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert and company, they have resisted falling into a losing spin, and let's hope that they can do it again tonight. Los Angeles Lakers with, of course, LeBron James and Anthony Davis in town tonight. Both of those players were listed as questionable playing in Chicago last night. Both did play. We'll see if they take the court tonight at Target Center in Downtown Minneapolis.
CATHY WURZER: OK. Eric Nelson. Vikings have a big game on Sunday.
ERIC NELSON: Yeah, they do, Cathy. The first place Detroit Lions, and that just sounds kind of funny given the Lions' checkered history. But yes, the Detroit Lions at 10 and 4 against the Minnesota Vikings at 7 and 7. It's a huge game. If the Lions win, they will clinch the NFC North Title. Now the only way for the Vikings to win the North is to win their final three games and for the Lions to lose their last three.
Now the last time Detroit won a division title, Cathy, you got to go way back to 1993 when they finished on top of the old NFC Central Division. Detroit has only made the playoffs 20 times in the team's 94-year history. So they're coming to Minnesota hoping to pop the corks have a champagne shower, maybe some confetti in the locker room. But the Vikings of course want to derail the party.
Last week, Minnesota, a tough overtime loss in Cincinnati. Despite the defeat though, the Purple are clearly in the playoff chase. They are currently the number six seed in the NFC. Seven teams will make it. Nick Mullens was shaky at quarterback against the Bengals. Some of us are wondering why Joshua Dobbs lost his position as QB1, but it looks like Nick Mullens will start again for the Minnesota Vikings in what is a critical game for the Lions and the Vikings.
CATHY WURZER: I bet you're really excited about the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit with the Gophers, right?
ERIC NELSON: Oh, I'm pumped up. And obviously, the sporting public is too because tickets are going for as cheap as $2, not including fees at Ford Field in Downtown Motown. Gophers are 5 and 7, Cathy, yet they go to a Bowl game. Bowling Green is 7 and 5. It's a revenge game for Minnesota. A couple of years ago, Bowling Green came into Minneapolis, was a 31-point underdog and sprung the upset against Minnesota. It's one of the more powerful wins by an underdog in college football history. That was a shock and awe win.
Look for Cole Kramer, quarterback, he's out of Eden Prairie, for the Gophers because Ethan Kelly has entered the transfer portal. And good news on the recruiting front. Esko safety Coy Parrish, top ranked player in Minnesota at the prep level. He was being chased by Florida State, Ohio State, and USC, but he's going to play for the Gophers. So PJ Fleck gets the guy he wants on the recruiting trail.
CATHY WURZER: All right. And Wally, your best 30 seconds on the Wild.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Wild at home tonight. Montreal making its only regular season appearance at the X. The Wild with a huge win in Boston on the road Tuesday night. They won 4-3 in overtime. Kirill Kaprizov got the game-winning goal in OT, also had a goal in regulation. Kaprizov finally turning the corner. He now has 10 goals on the season. They need to keep winning because they were slumping badly prior to John Hynes coming on board as head coach. We'll see how it goes tonight against Montreal Canadiens.
CATHY WURZER: All right, you guys. Happy holidays. Thanks so much.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Thanks to you, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: Talk to you later. Wally Langfellow, Eric Nelson. They host the sports talk show, 10,000 Takes.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Cathy. How are you?
ERIC NELSON: Happy holidays.
CATHY WURZER: I'm fine. Happy holidays to you both. Wally, Lakers and the T-Wolves. 8:00 PM start. What about it?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Well, it's a Timberwolves team that seems to bounce back after every setback. Oh, by the way, they have not lost two in a row all this year. So if you're a betting person or if you're somebody that just likes to see them win, tonight would be a good bet because they have the Lakers at home. But as I just said, they haven't lost two in a row all year. They have the best record in the Western Conference, 20 wins and 6 losses.
They're coming off the loss last night to Philadelphia and Joel Embiid. Now Embiid didn't play when the 76ers were here about a month or so ago. As a matter of fact, I think a lot of folks were disappointed. That's one of those days where they just gave him the day off. And so fans did not get to see the reigning MVP when he came to Target Center. But he beat up on the Wolves last night with 51 points. So the Timberwolves do lose last night.
But as I said, they have been very resilient this year. The combination of Anthony Edwards, and Karl Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert and company, they have resisted falling into a losing spin, and let's hope that they can do it again tonight. Los Angeles Lakers with, of course, LeBron James and Anthony Davis in town tonight. Both of those players were listed as questionable playing in Chicago last night. Both did play. We'll see if they take the court tonight at Target Center in Downtown Minneapolis.
CATHY WURZER: OK. Eric Nelson. Vikings have a big game on Sunday.
ERIC NELSON: Yeah, they do, Cathy. The first place Detroit Lions, and that just sounds kind of funny given the Lions' checkered history. But yes, the Detroit Lions at 10 and 4 against the Minnesota Vikings at 7 and 7. It's a huge game. If the Lions win, they will clinch the NFC North Title. Now the only way for the Vikings to win the North is to win their final three games and for the Lions to lose their last three.
Now the last time Detroit won a division title, Cathy, you got to go way back to 1993 when they finished on top of the old NFC Central Division. Detroit has only made the playoffs 20 times in the team's 94-year history. So they're coming to Minnesota hoping to pop the corks have a champagne shower, maybe some confetti in the locker room. But the Vikings of course want to derail the party.
Last week, Minnesota, a tough overtime loss in Cincinnati. Despite the defeat though, the Purple are clearly in the playoff chase. They are currently the number six seed in the NFC. Seven teams will make it. Nick Mullens was shaky at quarterback against the Bengals. Some of us are wondering why Joshua Dobbs lost his position as QB1, but it looks like Nick Mullens will start again for the Minnesota Vikings in what is a critical game for the Lions and the Vikings.
CATHY WURZER: I bet you're really excited about the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit with the Gophers, right?
ERIC NELSON: Oh, I'm pumped up. And obviously, the sporting public is too because tickets are going for as cheap as $2, not including fees at Ford Field in Downtown Motown. Gophers are 5 and 7, Cathy, yet they go to a Bowl game. Bowling Green is 7 and 5. It's a revenge game for Minnesota. A couple of years ago, Bowling Green came into Minneapolis, was a 31-point underdog and sprung the upset against Minnesota. It's one of the more powerful wins by an underdog in college football history. That was a shock and awe win.
Look for Cole Kramer, quarterback, he's out of Eden Prairie, for the Gophers because Ethan Kelly has entered the transfer portal. And good news on the recruiting front. Esko safety Coy Parrish, top ranked player in Minnesota at the prep level. He was being chased by Florida State, Ohio State, and USC, but he's going to play for the Gophers. So PJ Fleck gets the guy he wants on the recruiting trail.
CATHY WURZER: All right. And Wally, your best 30 seconds on the Wild.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Wild at home tonight. Montreal making its only regular season appearance at the X. The Wild with a huge win in Boston on the road Tuesday night. They won 4-3 in overtime. Kirill Kaprizov got the game-winning goal in OT, also had a goal in regulation. Kaprizov finally turning the corner. He now has 10 goals on the season. They need to keep winning because they were slumping badly prior to John Hynes coming on board as head coach. We'll see how it goes tonight against Montreal Canadiens.
CATHY WURZER: All right, you guys. Happy holidays. Thanks so much.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Thanks to you, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: Talk to you later. Wally Langfellow, Eric Nelson. They host the sports talk show, 10,000 Takes.
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