The Timberwolves shot this morning at Target Center -- Houston didn't shoot -- before Game 3 tonight and Jimmy Butler was asked about the mood of a team that's trailing the best-of-seven series 0-2.
"We're still playing for something," Butler said. "Hell, it's the first one to four games. We're only down 0-2. So I'm smiling, everybody's OK. I got to tell everybody, don't pay attention to what everybody says. You pay attention to what goes on in there with those guys who are with you every single day. We'll be OK."
Butler echoed some of what Jeff Teague said Friday, that the Wolves need to play faster. Butler added that they need to be less predictable.
"We just have to go out there and hoop," Butler said. "Don't be as guardable. When we come down, we're calling plays every other time. It's easy to scout. It's not hard to know what plays we're going to call and who's going to get the ball. Just go out there and play. It's a lot of different."
Like Karl-Anthony Towns, Butler has been held down by the Rockets' defense the first two games. Still on the road back from February knee surgery and seen wearing a wrap on his wrist earlier this series, Butler was asked if he's healthy.
"Doesn't matter," he said. "I was telling guys out there day, nobody really cares if you're nicked up. You put on that jersey and you go out there and play. You've got to produce. You've got to do what they got you here to do, so 40, 50, 95 or 100 (percent), I'm out there playing. Nobody cares if I'm nicked up or not."
Don;'t forget: Tonight's game is a 6:30 p.m. start. The Wolves encourage everyone to arrive early because it's going to be a sellout crowd. Doors open at 5 p.m.
