The Minnesota Timberwolves (20-44) take on the visiting San Antonio Spurs (53-10) at the Target Center. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Mar. 8 and will air on FSW and FNo.
The Timberwolves lost to the Hornets 108-103 on Monday. Karl-Anthony Towns played well in the loss for Minnesota, recording 28 points and 14 rebounds to earn his 36th double-double of the season. The Spurs, meanwhile, are coming off a 99-91 loss to the Pacers on Monday. LaMarcus Aldridge had a solid game, recording his 19th double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Towns has been playing at a high level as of late for the Timberwolves, averaging 20.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks over the last five games. On the other side, the Spurs have their own duo that have been hot in that span. Kawhi Leonard has averaged 26.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 block, and 2.4 three-pointers, while Aldridge has put up 24.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 block.
Keep an eye on Minnesota’s ability to get to the charity stripe. The team ranks second in the league in free throw attempt rate (33.8), but San Antonio is among the best in the NBA at keeping opponents off the line (ranking third by allowing a free throw attempt rate of 24.4). Moreover, the third-ranked offense of the Spurs (offensive efficiency of 109.3) will try to exploit the 27th-ranked defense of the Timberwolves (defensive efficiency of 107.6).
The Spurs have won both matchups against the Timberwolves this season, including a 101-95 victory in their last matchup. Leonard played a huge role in the victory by recording a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Timberwolves look to improve upon their records of 20-44 Straight Up (SU) and 29-34-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have been able to pull off wins at home against the Western Conference, going, but have struggled ATS with a record of 11-20-1. Minnesota has been steady from the free throw line, shooting a stellar .795. Minnesota’s defense is doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games. It is allowing an average of 95.3 points per game, well under their season average of 105.5.
On the other side, San Antonio has a SU record of 53-10 and an ATS record of 38-25. San Antonio has records of 53-10 SU and 38-25 ATS against the West. San Antonio is the top shooting team in the league, hitting .488 of its shots from the floor. Defenses have a tough time accounting for every player when up against the Spurs, who are known for distributing the ball with 25.0 assists per game. The Spurs are the top defensive team in the league, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 92.3 points allowed per game. San Antonio’s three-point defense has set the standard for the league, with opponents making a league-low 397 shots from the three-point line (6.0 per game). They average 6.0 blocks per game, good for fourth in the league.
San Antonio won the last meeting this season between these two teams, moving its SU record against the Timberwolves to 8-2 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. The Spurs also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – SA
Notes
Minnesota averages 101.3 points per home game this season. However, San Antonio is the top-ranked team in points allowed on the road, giving up just 94.2 points per game.
When the Minnesota Timberwolves allow under 100 points they are 10-7, while the San Antonio Spurs are 14-8 when they don’t hit triple digits.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have an abysmal 10-37 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The San Antonio Spurs are 39-2 when they hit triple digits.
The Spurs have the best defense in the NBA, with a defensive rating of 96.0. The Timberwolves’s offense ranks a solid 10th, with an offensive rating of 104.6.
Minnesota averages 97.1 possessions per game, scoring 1.046 points on each possession. While San Antonio averages fewer possessions per game with 95.6, the team scores more points per possession with 1.093.
San Antonio has an average effective field goal percentage of 53.2% (ranked second in the league}. Minnesota is a subpar 4-27 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
San Antonio ranks near the top of the league in assists at third (25.0 assists per game). Minnesota is ranked 10th, with 22.7 assists per game.
Minnesota makes an average of 4.6 blocks per game (ranked 18th). San Antonio ranks higher in blocks with 6.0 (ranked fourth).
Minnesota is ranked 18th when it comes to offensive rebounding. San Antonio ranks third in defensive rebounds.
On average, Minnesota makes 7.5 steals per game. San Antonio has a tremendous 28-6 record when it gives up at least 7 steals.
