The Minnesota Timberwolves try to bounce back from a devastating loss last time out with a Friday night home matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks met only a few days ago, and the two teams have gone in opposite directions since their Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee.
The Wolves gave up a 20-point lead to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night and lost on a Cole Anthony buzzer-beater. The Hawks, for their part, defeated the Detroit Pistons in overtime behind 38 points from Trae Young.
Minnesota is in dire straits, still without Karl-Anthony Towns, Ricky Rubio, and Juancho Hernangomez due to health and safety protocols, and having lost 10 of their last 11 games.
The Hawks’ Danilo Gallinari hasn’t played since the second game of the season and is listed as questionable.
The previous game between the Wolves and Hawks was an exceedingly sloppy affair, with the two teams combining for 42 turnovers. Minnesota did a fairly good job guarding Young, but he still created for teammates and got to the free throw line at will.
The Wolves hung around and were within a couple of possessions down the stretch but couldn’t get stops when they needed to, and the Hawks pulled away.
Minnesota Timberwolves odds vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Action Network lists the Wolves as six-point underdogs against the Hawks. Both teams are banged up, but without Towns, Hernangomez, and Rubio, the Wolves are certainly at a disadvantage despite playing at home.
TV and streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks
- Television: Fox Sports North
- Radio: 830 WCCO
- Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options
What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Wolves struggled mightily with Clint Capela and John Collins on Monday.
With no Towns, Naz Reid became the starting center and only manage to pull down two rebounds in 28 minutes of play. Capela finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds while Collins added 15 points and seven rebounds.
While the Wolves shadowed Young with Josh Okogie or Jarrett Culver at all times and held him to only eight field goal attempts, Young attempted 13 free throws and dished out 13 assists. Still, he committed six turnovers and didn’t provide a typical Trae Young game.
The Wolves need both D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley to score efficiently in order to win this game. With no Towns, Anthony Edwards struggling mightily, and no Rubio to help create for the second unit, the Wolves offense is extremely limited.
Injury report for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Wolves are without Towns, Rubio, and Hernangomez as all remain out due to health and safety protocols. Okogie is listed as probable due to his hamstring injury.
The Hawks are still without Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has only played in nine games, and Kris Dunn, who hasn’t played at all this season. Gallinari is listed as questionable, as is De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish.
We’ll be back after the game with postgame player grades. Enjoy Friday night basketball!