Timberwolves vs. Kings: Odds, injuries and what to watch for
By Ben Beecken
The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Sacramento Kings on Monday night at Target Center as they try to snap a nine-game losing streak.
The last time the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings faced off, the Wolves were on an 11-game losing streak and desperately needed a win.
This time around, the Wolves are mired in a nine-game skid and desperately need a win.
The only key differences are that the Wolves will have Karl-Anthony Towns at their disposal in this one, and the game will be played at Target Center in Minneapolis. And hopefully, this won’t be an ugly overtime affair like the last one was.
The Kings have had two days off after snapping their own six-game losing streak against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. This is the Wolves’ final game before a West Coast road trip that doesn’t start until Saturday in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
Timberwolves odds against the Kings
Tickets, TV and streaming info for Timberwolves vs. Kings
- Television: Fox Sports North
- Radio: 830 WCCO
- Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options
- Tickets: StubHub offers ticketing options
What to watch for in Wolves vs. Kings
The Timberwolves have once again back-slid into being entirely incapable of containing opponent’s guards.
Over the weekend, Russell Westbrook went for 45 points and 10 assists in Friday’s matchup against the Rockets. Then, Saturday saw Chris Paul (25 points and 10 assists) and Dennis Schroder (26 points off the bench) get wherever they wanted to go against the Wolves.
The Kings don’t have anyone that’s nearly that caliber when it comes to dynamic scoring guards (Buddy Hield is obviously a great shooter but isn’t nearly the threat off the dribble or as a creator as the aforementioned trio), but D’Aaron Fox is still a name to keep an eye on.
Fox left early in the first quarter with back spasms in the Wolves’ Dec. 26 win, so they didn’t need to contend with him for the vast majority of the night. He is healthy this time around and is the primary threat when it comes to transition and getting to the rim in the half court offense.
Towns has scored 30 or more points in each of the last three games and, as always, is the key to the game for the Wolves. He’ll need to lead the way on the glass, too, where the Wolves have largely struggled over the past few weeks.
Injury Report
The Wolves are still without Jake Layman (toe). Allen Crabbe left in the first quarter of Saturday’s loss to the Thunder with a knee injury and is officially listed as day-to-day.
Marvin Bagley III has only appeared in 13 games this season due to a foot injury and will be out on Monday as well. Richaun Holmes, who led the way for the Kings in the overtime loss to the Wolves last time around with 20 points, will miss the game with a shoulder issue.
Check back after the game for player grades for what will hopefully be a victorious Wolves squad.