On Friday, the San Antonio Spurs suffered a troublesome loss towards a motivated Sacramento Kings squad. Now, after touring throughout time zones they’ll match up with probably the greatest defenses within the league, and a group that can particularly be a troublesome match-up for them: the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves are sixth within the NBA in defensive ranking and have the dimensions to punish the Spurs. With Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid, Minnesota can be lots to deal with for San Antonio with Charles Bassey lacking one other sport, and Victor Wembanyama lacking the remainder of the season. That’s not even accounting for Anthony Edwards, who’s having an excellent season, averaging 27.2 factors, 6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists whereas pulling down 40.6% of his threes.
Minnesota has a 2-1 season collection lead over the Spurs and has gained the final two video games towards San Antonio. The Spurs will lean on the success of their rookie guard, Stephon Fortress, who has firmly established a lead for Rookie of the Yr along with his current play.
March ninth, 2025 | 5 PM CT
Watch: FanDuel Southwest | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (knee), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Victor Wembanyama – Out (shoulder)
Timberwolves Accidents: Luka Garza – Questionable (ankle), Rudy Gobert – Questionable (again)
What to observe for:
Controlling the glass
The Spurs have struggled to win the rebounding battle since Wembanyama and Bassey went down. Minnesota represents challenges inside with its dimension. Regardless of that clear benefit, the Wolves aren’t a wonderful rebounding group. They’re 18th within the NBA in rebounding and permit their opponents to seize the thirteenth most rebounds within the NBA. Even with a transparent dimension drawback, the Spurs can nonetheless compete on the glass and keep on this sport.
Backcourt manufacturing
The Spurs beginning backcourt of De’Aaron Fox and Chris Paul struggled towards the Kings. Their saving grace was Fortress’s 25 factors off the bench. They’ll want extra from their guards towards a troublesome Minnesota protection. Fortress has scored simply 5 factors towards the Wolves in three video games this season. His improved play might give them an opportunity on Sunday.
Bench scoring
Fortress has been the spotlight of the Spurs bench manufacturing recently, however the play of Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan shouldn’t go unnoticed. These two can be key towards the Wolves on Sunday. Sochan’s effort on the inside can be essential towards the massive and difficult T-Wolves. An additional scoring punch from Johnson off the bench would assist a Spurs group struggling to search out constant offense proper now.
