MINNEAPOLIS — When the Minnesota Timberwolves clinched their first playoff berth in 14 years with a win against Denver in the regular-season finale [url=http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-martavis-bryant-jersey]http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-martavis-bryant-jersey[/url] , the home crowd at Target Center erupted in jubilation as the drought ended.

Minnesota went on the road to Houston and lost the first two games of the first-round series. The Timberwolves and their fans hope a return home can get them back in the series.

The Rockets come to Minnesota on Saturday with a 2-0 lead after Wednesday’s dominating 102-82 victory, leaving the Timberwolves wondering how to make their mark and hoping they can get a boost from the home crowd.

“It feels good,” Minnesota forward Andrew Wiggins told the Minneapolis Star Tribune about returning home. “Houston took care of business up there and now we’ve got to do the same up here. I know the fans will be excited, the atmosphere will be crazy and the whole team, we’re confident. We’re ready.”

Wiggins believes — maybe hopes — the fans will be as involved as they were during the season finale. The Wolves missed the playoffs for 13 straight seasons before this year. The last home playoff game was in the 2004 Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I think it’ll be crazy, kind of like the Denver game,” Wiggins told the Star Tribune. “Fans were just screaming and into the game the whole time. We’re home. The fans will be into it. I’m excited. I know the guys are too.”

Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau knows a lot is on the line on Saturday.

“You’re trying to erase 14 years of losing,” Thibodeau told the Star Tribune. “It’s not an easy thing to do. This team has fought like crazy all year. We were basically a three-seed when Jimmy (Butler) went down. We finished a game out of the fourth spot. I’m proud of what they’ve done and now our challenge is to win this next game.”

It won’t be easy against Houston.

The Rockets only shot 36.5 percent from the field in Game 2 and James Harden was limited to 12 points in 30:46. Yet, Houston won by 20 after squeaking by with a three-point win in Game 1.

“We haven’t played very well so far,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni told the Houston Chronicle. “It’ll be crazy up there. They haven’t been in the playoffs for a long time. It will be a very loud crowd. We have to do our part, play defense and take the crowd out of it. We have to be ready for all they got. Whatever they have left, we’re going to get it full throttle right when we get on the floor to start the game.”

Minnesota actually was the aggressor early in Game 2 [url=http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-marquez-valdes-scantling-jersey]http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-marquez-valdes-scantling-jersey[/url] , leading after the first quarter. But the Wolves shot 38.8 percent from the field. All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns finished with just five points on 2-of-9 shooting. Butler had 11 points, while Wiggins scored 13.

The Wolves were one of the league’s best teams at home with a 30-11 record, but they lost all four games in the regular season to Houston, including twice at Target Center.

“They have a really good team at home,” Harden told the Chronicle. “Nothing’s changed for us. We’ve been a pretty good road team all year. Go out there, execute, limit our turnovers … and just make it tough, make it tough for every guy on their team. We haven’t shot the ball well yet. Knock down some shots, and we’ll be good.”

Minnesota is looking to possibly change its approach. Point guard Jeff Teague has been outspoken at times this year and said the key on Saturday will be playing up tempo to get the crowd in the game.

“What we’ve been playing like hasn’t worked,” Teague told the Star Tribune. “We lost both games, and we played a slow pace. I think we played right into their hands. Last time we played them here at home (in March), we got out in the second half and picked up the pace and made it a closer game. That’s the only way we can play to be successful against this team.”

Moritz Wagner grew up in Berlin dreaming of an NBA career [url=http://www.ramsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-joseph-noteboom-jersey]http://www.ramsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-joseph-noteboom-jersey[/url] , and he went all the way to Michigan to chase it.

The German big man will get his chance with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers chose Wagner with the 25th pick in the NBA draft Thursday night, adding the versatile center as the next piece in their talented young core.

The 6-foot-11 Wagner entered the draft after leading the Wolverines to the NCAA Tournament championship game. He led Michigan with 14.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season, demonstrating versatility and a steady outside shot to go with his big-game clutch performances in the tournament.

Wagner worked out twice for the Lakers and general manager Rob Pelinka, a fellow Michigan man. After getting the call from Pelinka, Wagner already knew it was Showtime.

”They obviously are a very flashy franchise,” Wagner said. ”They love to play fast. Coach (Luke) Walton used to play as well, so he’s a players’ coach, and he wants his players to make plays, be confident. They focus a lot on playing fast, and that’s something I’m really excited to do.”

The Lakers stayed in Europe during the second round and used the 47th overall pick on Svi Mykhailiuk, Kansas’ Ukrainian outside shooting whiz. Although Pelinka wasn’t allowed to confirm it, the Lakers also are widely expected to get German teenager Isaac Bonga [url=http://www.authenticsnewyorkgiants.com/cheap-kareem-martin-jersey]Kareem Martin Color Rush Jersey[/url] , the 39th overall pick by Philadelphia, when the trade can be announced next month.

The Lakers are focused on the free-agent signing period next week as the path back into championship contention after the worst half-decade stretch in franchise history. But before the Lakers find out whether Paul George, LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard will land in Hollywood, they added Wagner to their foundation of young talent including Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart.

”We’re building a culture here, and (Wagner) brings a lot to the table,” Walton said. ”As far as the passion he plays with, his unselfish nature, the way that he spreads the floor, all these things that we’ve seen on film and that we saw live a couple of times when he worked out for us, we’re excited.”

Wagner grew up in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood of Germany’s capital religiously watching NBA games and even American college hoops. He admired fellow German Dirk Nowitzki [url=http://www.authenticscarolinapanthers.com/cheap-ian-thomas-jersey]Ian Thomas Color Rush Jersey[/url] , but really idolized Kevin Garnett.

Wagner played in the youth system of German pro team ALBA Berlin before Michigan coach John Beilein traveled to Europe on a one-day recruiting trip and persuaded him to head for Ann Arbor.

”I remember getting up at 3 a.m., watching the games,” Wagner said. ”Dirk (Nowitzki) had a huge impact on that, just being a player that made it, a player that did incredible things in the league, and also being a player that was under the radar for a long time, and just this skinny kid from Germany, similar to me. That dream is very, very far away when you’re over there, so it’s exciting to be here.”

He was joined at the draft by his parents, several German friends and the Michigan coaching staff.

Wagner is already familiar with Staples Center after leading Michigan to two victories in the arena during the West Regional last March. He dropped 21 points on Texas A&M and fellow first-round pick Robert Williams at the Lakers’ home arena before cutting down the Staples nets after scoring 12 points in a victory over Florida State in the West Regional final.

The Lakers traded away their own first-round pick in this draft, the 12th overall [url=http://www.authenticsnewyorkjets.com/cheap-clive-walford-jersey]Clive Walford Color Rush Jersey[/url] , in their deal with Phoenix six years ago to acquire Steve Nash in their disastrous attempt to build a superteam. Los Angeles acquired the 25th pick from Cleveland last February in the trade involving Isaiah Thomas, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr.

Mykhailiuk was an outstanding outside shooter for the Jayhawks’ Final Four team, scoring 14.6 points per game while hitting 115 total 3-pointers. Knocks on his defense and wingspan put him in the second round, but the Lakers were impressed by his skill in their private workout.

”When you build a team, you have to have pillars that you build on,” Pelinka said. ”We felt like with the two players that we selected tonight in the draft that we added shooting and guys that know how to play the game the right way. We’re just thrilled with the way the night ended for us.”

—

.