Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: Oct. 18 at San Antonio Spurs

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: The Minnesota Timberwolves huddle before the preseason game on September 30, 2017 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 05: Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Jimmy Butler #23, Jamal Crawford #11 and Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Universidade Center on October 5, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

Major Key for Minnesota: Find instant chemistry

With so many additions this offseason, the Wolves will need to find an instant chemistry if they are to beat this Spurs team — even if it is missing superstar Kawhi Leonard.

Three new starters and a whole new pecking order have Timberwolves fans more excited than ever, but it will be a challenge for this team to instantly gel when the opposition they face may be the best franchise in NBA history.

Minnesota Timberwolves /

Minnesota Timberwolves

According to nba.com/stats, the Spurs ranked first in defensive rating and seventh in offensive rating last season, so the Timberwolves will need to be on their ‘A’-game if they want to roll the Spurs to start off the season.

It will be a new feeling for the likes of Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford while playing with a new team in a new (and demanding) Tom Thibodeau system for the very first time.

This is where other new Wolves Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, who have both spent multiple years in Thibodeau’s systems will be key to helping the newcomers become adjusted — and quickly.

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