Spurs (15-3) vs. Timberwolves (9-10) Preview: Mexico City Edition

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday night, Tim Duncan and Co. head down to the Timberwolves home turf in

Minnesota

Mexico City. Thats right. We are getting some NBA action south of the border tonight!

The poor T-Wolves have to waste a home game at a neutral site against the reigning Western Conference Champions in a country that borders the state where those champions are from. Needless to say, Coach Rick Adelman is not too pumped. He told Fox Sports North:

I have no comment on Mexico. It absolutely makes no — really, when you have 41 home games, it’s not a good idea to give a home game against the Western Conference champions away. It’s just me. I’d rather play them here.

I can’t say I disagree with the idea that they are getting the shaft here. I’m all for expanding the NBA brand and sending two teams with internationally heavy rosters to a different country, but the league could have at least followed the NFL model and sent the equivalent of a Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins matchup (Jazz-Bobcats anyone?).

What Adelman is getting at is the Wolves are good this year, and would have loved to play the Spurs in Minnesota where a win would not have been out of the question. Kevin Love is lighting up the stat sheets with his usual double-double antics, Ricky Rubio is dropping dimes like a clumsy cashier, and Nikola Pekovic has his beard. This is Wolves team is the one people thought was possible, but never thought they would actually see due to a slew of injuries over the past few seasons.

They have the ability to do this every once in a while, as well:

This T-Wolves team loves to shoot. They are coming into the game against the Spurs ranked first in field-goal attempts, field goals made, offensive rebounds, and steals, as well as third in points per game.

But they don’t do well against good defenses — you know, like the one the Spurs have. So far, the best defenses they have faced have been the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, both teams Minnesota lost to by double digits. The Spurs come in with the league’s second best defense behind Indiana, which will most likely spell trouble for the Wolves.

Overall, this Timberwolves team should not be taken likely. They are better than their record, and have put on some shows so far this season. But there just doesn’t seem to be enough efficiency and expertise on this Minnesota squad to beat the Spurs.

Look for San Antonio to make Mexico City their home away from home and come away with the win.

Who? San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Where? Mexico City Arena, Mexico City

When? December 4, 2013, 8:30 PM CST

TV/Radio Coverage: TV: NBATV – RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI

Projected Starting Lineups

Timberwolves

StartersPG: Ricky RubioSG: Kevin MartinSF: Corey BrewerPF: Kevin LoveC: Nikola Pekovic

Spurs

StartersPG: Tony ParkerSG: Danny GreenSF: Kawhi LeonardPF: Tim DuncanC: Tiago Splitter

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