PORTLAND, Ore. – One reason the Timberwolves were optimistic headed into their four-game road trip was that they were humming ever since Robert Covington and Dario Saric joined the team. The Wolves had defeated Portland, their opponent Saturday, by 16 at Target Center with both in the lineup and were primed to avenge a season-low 30-point loss at the Moda Center.
Except Covington wasn’t available — he was a late scratch Saturday because of right knee soreness.
Despite a gutsy effort, the Wolves couldn’t outlast Portland, which got clutch baskets in the final moments from Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum for a 113-105 victory.