The Minnesota Timberwolves have been among the many greatest groups this season, having held both the first or 2nd spot within the Western Convention standings for a lot of the yr. Nevertheless, everyone seems to be sorta bunched up within the standings out West and quite a lot of questions encompass this squad. They’ve the league’s prime ranked protection, however their offense ranks simply seventeenth. Led on the offensive finish by the potent 1-2 punch of All Stars Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony Cities, the remainder of the roster leaves a lot to be desired so far as that aspect of the ball goes. Protection travels although, and no matter the place they end the yr within the standings, they’ll be a tricky out for anybody in any spherical.
For the Spurs, tonight represents the ultimate sport of what has been one other disappointing Rodeo Street Journey in a current slew of them. Victor Wembanyama continues to point out followers glimpses into what the way forward for the San Antonio Spurs could possibly be, however they’ve been too temporary to fulfill for lengthy, particularly this late into an 11-47 season. With Wembanyama and Vassell trying like, “Guys,” because the months have gone on, the puzzle regarding the remainder of this roster is slowly coming into focus, ripe for fixing this offseason. However for now, the Spurs solider on for one more sport.
San Antonio Spurs (11-47) at Minnesota Timberwolves (40-17)
February 27 2024 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: BSSW | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey, out for the yr, Marcus Morris, out (nonetheless doesn’t wish to play for the Spurs)
Timberwolves Accidents: Rudy Gobert, ankle (daily)
What to observe for
If anybody has a gripe for being ignored within the MVP dialog, it’s most likely Anthony Edwards. His stats aren’t as flashy as a number of the frontrunners for the award, however he’s averaging profession highs in PPG (26.3), discipline objective % (47%), 3-point % (38%), and each free throw makes an attempt (6.6 FTA) and proportion (83.3%). Even with out the MVP hype, Edwards’ play this season has drawn comparisons from critics with a number of the best wings to ever play the sport, together with its best participant Michael Jordan.
The Rudy Gobert commerce that despatched Wemby’s fellow Frenchman from Utah to Minnesota was panned on the time, however Gobert has been the lynchpin of Minnesota’s top-ranked protection this season. In just a few weeks, he could possibly be on a shortlist of gamers in league historical past to come back away with its Defensive Participant of the Yr award 4 instances, becoming a member of Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo.
Keldon Johnson was benched after taking part in simply 4 minutes within the loss to Utah, with the teaching employees noting that it was resulting from repetitive errors. How he responds to that benching tonight needs to be telling. Johnson has struggled since January rolled round and is averaging simply 11 factors an evening in February.
Former Spur Kyle Anderson is in his 2nd season with the TWolves. Getting most of his taking part in time coming off the bench, Slo-Mo is averaging 6 factors, 3.6 boards, and 4 dimes. He nonetheless hasn’t discovered his 3-ball sport, taking pictures a putrid 20% on lower than 1 try per sport.
Tonight is the 4th and last assembly of the season between the Spurs and Timberwolves, which additionally means it’s the final time we’ll get to see the large ole Frenchmen go towards each other. The Spurd come into tonight 1-2 towards Minnesota.
For the Timberwolves fan’s perspective, please go to Canis Hoopus.
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