Spurs at Timberwolves: Predictions, Key Match-ups, Injuries, and More

The San Antonio Spurs kick off a quick three-game road trip tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest. The game can also be heard on the radio on WOAI 1200 AM.

How will San Antonio fare against Minnesota? We take a look at recent history, injuries, and key matchups to predict the outcome of the game!

Recent Games

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs head into this game coming off a huge 100-95 comeback win over the Phoenix Suns. The Spurs used a big fourth quarter, outscoring the Suns 41-26 in the period, to steal the game.

Despite the win, San Antonio has struggled recently. The Spurs are just 5-5 in their last 10 games and have not won a road game since December 14th. The team’s four game road losing streak is what it will be looking to snap tonight against Minnesota.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves come into this game struggling even more than the San Antonio Spurs. The Timberwolves have lost 14 straight games and find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference.

Minnesota’s most recent loss was last night on the road to the Milwaukee Bucks. The team fell behind in the second quarter and was just unable to recover, falling 98-84. The Timberwolves will be looking to hopefully put an end to the losing tonight against the Spurs.

Injuries

San Antonio Spurs

Marco Belinelli, Shooting Guard – Belinelli is listed as questionable with a groin strain. Look for Kyle Anderson to get the start at small forward if the Italian swingman is unable to go.

Manu Ginobili, Shooting Guard – Ginobili left in the middle of last night’s game against the Suns with back spasms. It is unknown if he will play tonight, but considering injury and head coach Gregg Popovich’s tendency to rest Ginobili on the second night of a back-to-back, he should be listed as doubtful. Expect Kyle Anderson and Marco Belinelli, if he plays, to pick up Ginobili’s minutes.

Kawhi Leonard, Small Forward – Leonard is dealing with a bruised right hand and is listed as out. Look for Kyle and Anderson and Marco Belinelli, if he plays, to pick up the forward’s minutes.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Martin, Shooting Guard – Martin is still nursing a wrist injury and is listed as out for tonight’s game. Look for Troy Daniels and Chase Budinger to pick up the guard’s minutes.

Shabazz Muhammad, Small Forward – Muhammad is listed as questionable for tonight’s game with an abdomen injury. If he is unable to go, expect Chase Budinger to pick up the start.

Mo Williams, Point Guard – Williams is suffering from right ankle soreness and is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game against the Spurs. Look for Zach LaVine to get the start once again on Saturday night.

Key Matchups

With so many players expected to be out for Saturday’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves, there are not many match-ups to pick from. With that said, we still will stick to picking a key match-up. Tonight’s key match-up is between the Spurs Danny Green and the Timberwolves Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins has been on a tear recently scoring 20-plus points in his last five outings while Green is coming off a good game himself, 20 points against the Suns.

Prediction

The San Antonio Spurs will have one of the easiest games on their schedule tonight when they face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, with Ginobili and Leonard out (possibly even Duncan if he rests), the Spurs could be in for a shocker in Minnesota.

Andrew Wiggins leads his team to their first win in 2015 tonight, and puts an end to the Timberwolves  suffering, temporarily. Even though I’m picking Minnesota, I expect the game to be close.

The Spurs will have a lot of questions to answer after this one.

Check out our friends over at Dunking With Wolves for a Minnesota Timberwolves perspective on the game!

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