The Minnesota Timberwolves (40-40, 38-42-0 ATS) will hit the road for the final time in the regular season, to take on the San Antonio Spurs (21-59, 32-48-0 ATS). These teams have played each other thrice already, but all three games were way back in October. San Antonio managed to take two of the three contests and can earn a series win if they snatch this one away. While Minnesota can't finish lower than ninth, losing this game would eradicate any shot at them earning an automatic playoff spot. The Spurs aren't in their usual home, playing this game in Austin, Texas' Moody Center. Tip-off for the event is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST.
Minnesota needs a lot of help, but there's a path for the Timberwolves to get the fifth or sixth seed in the Western Conference. That would be much more valuable than spots seven through 10, as it would allow them to bypass the play-in tournament entirely. Their first step towards that goal is winning the rest of their games.
They took care of business in their last game, beating the Brooklyn Nets 107-102. All five starters finished in double figures in the contest. Karl-Anthony Towns, who is now healthy, had a 22-point, 14-rebound double-double to lead the way. Minnesota trailed by 11 at one point but managed to come back in a must-win game. The win ended a three-game losing streak.
great team win ??????
Ant – 23 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST / 2 BLK / 1 STL
KAT – 22 PTS / 14 REB / 5 AST
Mike – 18 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST / 1 BLK / 1 ST L
Jaden – 15 PTS / 6 REB / 1 BLK / 3 STL
Rudy – 12 PTS / 12 REB / 2 AST / 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/yNWnaAy1dA— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 5, 2023
Their defense was outstanding again, holding a team under 110 for the third time in four tries. That's nothing new for the Timberwolves, who are 10th in defensive rating this season. Minnesota smothers teams by forcing turnovers, ranking fifth in turnover percentage, and new center Rudy Gobert forcing misses at the rim.
Offensively, the Timberwolves are inconsistent, hence their offensive rating which is ranked 23rd in the NBA. They are among the worst teams in the NBA at protecting the ball, grabbing offensive boards, and hitting free throws. However, they are one of the best at finishing at the rim and take 38.7% of their shots at the rim.