San Antonio Spurs Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Predictions, Starting Lineups (12/6/23)
The best and worst teams in the Western Conference face off when the Spurs head north to Minnesota for a battle with the Timberwolves. Our San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves predictions, best bets, and analysis are below, as well as the updated betting odds and projected starting lineups!
San Antonio Spurs Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
The San Antonio Spurs are currently riding one of the worst losing streaks in recent memory; they have dropped 14 consecutive games and are in danger of extending to 15 games in this spot against the T’Wolves, who are 15-4.
These two teams have played each other once already this season, and it ended with Minnesota securing a seven-point win on the road. Victor Wembanyama’s performance was quite notable in that game, especially going up against the Timberwolves’ talented frontcourt; he finished with 29 points and nine rebounds on just 21 shots.
Unfortunately for the Spurs, they are more than likely going to lose this game, too. The Timberwolves are 9-1 at home and have an outrageously impressive 101.3 defensive rating on their own floor, whereas that number drops (worsens) to 114.9 when they are on the road.
If San Antonio couldn’t beat Minnesota when it was at home, then the Spurs have virtually no shots at knocking off the T’Wolves on the road, especially with Anthony Edwards said to be back in the lineup with no minutes restrictions.
With more focus on Wemby this time around and the bodies to be physical and deter easy buckets, San Antonio will struggle to reach 100 points.
San Antonio Spurs Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction: Timberwolves -12.5 (-110)
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San Antonio Spurs Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Best Odds
The Minnesota Timberwolves enter this Western Conference matchup with San Antonio are 12.5-point home favorites. The Spurs have Moneyline odds of +525, while Minnesota is a heavy favorite to win outright at -750. The Over/Under for this bout rests at 231 points, with the Under having a slight edge at -112 odds.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
PG: Jeremy Sochan
SG: Malaki Branham
SF: Keldon Johnson
PF: Victor Wembanyama
C: Zach Collins
Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineup
PG: Mike Conley Jr.
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
PF: Karl Anthony-Towns
C: Rudy Gobert
San Antonio Spurs Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries
Minnesota will be without Jaden McDaniels (ankle), Jaylen Clark (Achilles), and Jordan McLaughlin (knee) for this matchup against San Antonio. Anthony Edwards will be available to play after missing the past two games due to a hip injury.
Meanwhile, the Spurs have a fairly clean injury report, with Devin Vassell and Zach Collins listed as probable for this game. Sir’Jabari Rice is day-to-day.
San Antonio Spurs Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Key Matchups
Check out our key matchup below, featuring a generational talent in Victor Wembanyama and the most effective frontcourt in the NBA (Minnesota) so far this season!
Victor Wembanyama vs. Timberwolves Frontcourt
What better way for Victor Wembanyama to be tested than for him to go up against one of the most physical frontcourts in the NBA (Minnesota.) The Timberwolves currently have the lowest (best) defensive rating in the NBA, and a large part of that has to do with the interior play of Rudy Gobert and the physicality of Karl Anthony-Towns.
Gobert is the NBA DPOY odds frontrunner at the moment, and despite only averaging 2.4 blocks per game, he is clearly the anchor to this Timberwolves defense, which is allowing the fewest points and second-fewest rebounds to opposing centers, as well as the second-fewest points to opposing power forwards. No matter who defends Wemby, he could be in for a long day.
Or maybe not. Wemby has played the T’Wolves once this year already and posted 29 points and nine rebounds on 12-for-21 shooting from the field; he also dished out four assists and recorded four blocks. That was with Jaden McDaniels, a 6-foot-11 wing who is already considered one of the most versatile defenders in the league, playing; he will not be available for this game.
Still, this is a home game for Minnesota; the Timberwolves’ defensive rating on their home floor is 101.3 versus a head-scratching 114.9 on the road. That is a sizable difference. Physicality and defensive focus on Wemby will force him to take tough looks; he can hit them, but the slight advantage goes to the Timberwolves here. Slight Advantage: Timberwolves Frontcourt.
