The Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the Detroit Pistons at Target Center on Wednesday evening.

The Timberwolves and Pistons come into the 2020-21 season in similar circumstances, in that they are both on the outside, looking in. They have had good opportunities in the last couple of seasons but have not been able to get over the hump and this marks the beginning of a fresh start. Both teams made some changes in the offseason as the Pistons picked up point guard, Delon Wright, and forwards Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee, while the Timberwolves will see the return of their once-beloved point guard, Ricky Rubio.

Along with other additions that the Timberwolves made late last season, with D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley, Rubio will provide star big-man Karl-Anthony Towns more room to operate by helping spread the floor and set up good scoring opportunities both in the transition and half court. They will also look to nurture the development of their sophomore, Jarrett Culver, who showed some flashes last season.

Meanwhile, the Pistons' additions, Plumlee and Grant, give them great toughness and depth at the forward positions. This will help offset the loss of Andre Drummond, who will no longer be cleaning up the paint. Delon Wright give them another reliable point-guard option, along with Derrick Rose, who is coming off a strong season. Blake Griffin struggled with his health for much of last season, but he is expected to be ready to go for Wednesday. Griffin's status throughout the season will be a big factor in the success of the Pistons.