Timberwolves at Spurs: Ten straight against Minnesota?

Three Things to Watch For

1. Spurs’ energy. Not that I doubt Pop, but the Spurs just finished a game that went to overtime on the road in New Orleans on Friday night. Consequently, they have to fly back to San Antonio to play the Wolves the following night.

The Timberwolves, on the other hand, have had two days off to rest and should have the edge in the energy category — the keyword there is should, of course. It is the Spurs, after all. (One day, I really hope that people will say things like that about Minnesota, “It’s the Wolves… they’re just that good at basketball.”  Someday…)

2. Limiting the Spurs runs. Last time these two teams met, the Spurs ran away with the game in the fourth quarter to win by eight points. Despite the nail-in-the-coffin run that sealed the deal, Minnesota actually played it close for the entirety of the game. This is the blueprint to staying in the game against some of the league’s best this time out as well: Limit extended runs. Take good shots in the flow of the offense. Don’t turn the ball over. These types of things will give the Timberwolves a chance.

3. Wiggins vs. Leonard. Kawhi Leonard’s size (well, and his out-of-this-world defensive skills) make him a tough match-up for Andrew Wiggins offensively…and defensively, for that matter.

As obvious as it seems, the Wolves are indeed a far better team when the third-year forward from Kansas is playing well. In wins this season, Wiggins is averaging 26.6 points per game on 52 percent shooting. In losses? Just 21.1 points per game on 42 percent shooting. Wiggins’ success could end up being indicative of how Minnesota is playing as a whole.