Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Wizards: Odds, injuries, and what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves look to pull out of an early-season slide as they play host to the winless Washington Wizards on New Year’s Day.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 2-2, but it certainly feels much worse than that.

Before the season actually got underway, splitting games between Detroit, Utah, the Clippers, and the Lakers with three of them coming on the road would have sounded just fine.

But Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury, combined with the fashion in which they’ve lost the last two games, have put a damper on any good feelings that surrounded the team following the 2-0 start.

Indeed, the Wolves were blown out each time and effectively out of both games before halftime. They’ll again be without both Towns and Josh Okogie, who is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered Sunday against the Lakers.

The Wizards are 0-4 and on the second half of a back-to-back after losing to the Bulls in Chicago on New Year’s Eve. The Wolves have consecutive and likely Towns-less games against Denver upcoming.

To say that both teams need to win this game would be an understatement.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds against the Washington Wizards

The Wolves are favored by only 1.5 points according to The Action Network. The line moved slightly in Minnesota’s favor after news came out that Russell Westbrook would be sitting out due to rest for the second time this season.

TV and streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Washington Wizards

• Television: Fox Sports North
• Radio: 830 WCCO
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Washington Wizards

The Wolves have struggled defensively this season, but the bigger issue over the past two games has actually been their offense. There has been no identity or offensive without Towns, and Okogie’s injury has only further complicated changes to the rotation.

Last time out, the Wolves started Ricky Rubio alongside D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt with Jarrett Culver joining Malik Beasley on the wing. The Wizards just got Rui Hachimura back from injury, so the Wolves may be more likely to start Jake Layman or Juancho Hernangomez at the 4 in this one, pushing either Culver or Rubio back to the bench.

Without Westbrook, expect Raul Neto to play heavy minutes at point guard and Bradley Beal to initiate more offense for the Wizards. Outside of Beal and Davis Bertans, the Wizards aren’t exactly potent from downtown although they shot 14-of-29 against the Bulls on Thursday, and Bertans, who is still on a minutes limitation, went 0-for-6 from deep.

As long as the Wolves keep Beal or Bertans from going crazy with the longball, Minnesota has the ability to slow down the Wizards struggling offense.

And lucky for the Wolves, Washington is one of the few teams with a defense that is clearly worse than their own, so they have a real chance to get their own offense back on track on Friday night.

Injury Report for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Washington Wizards

The Wolves are without Towns, Okogie, and Jaylen Nowell, who remains out with a calf issue.

The Wizards will only be missing Westbrook after getting Hachimura back from injury on Thursday.

Tune in later this evening for postgame player grades. Happy New Year!