Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves return home to take on the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers.

After winning their most recent home game last Saturday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves are back on a losing streak after dropping a pair of games at Golden State.

The Wolves remain short-handed, still without Karl-Anthony Towns, Juancho Hernangomez, and Jarrett Culver. D’Angelo Russell is listed as questionable after missing the last two games with a quad contusion.

The 76ers led for much of the game last time out against the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers, but L.A. took a late lead before Tobias Harris hit a shot in the final seconds to give the Sixers a one-point lead.

Joel Embiid took a hard fall after a Flagrant-One foul from LeBron James and is listed as questionable with a back injury against the Wolves on Friday. Without Towns in the lineup, it wouldn’t be a shock if Philly had Embiid sit out on the first leg of a three-game road trip.

This the first of a two-game homestand for the Wolves; they host Cleveland in the first half of a home-and-home series on Sunday night.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds vs. Philadelphia 76ers

According to The Action Network, the Sixers are favored by seven points, a spread that would surely be larger if Embiid was healthy. Still, an Embiid-less 76ers squad is certainly not unbeatable, even for a depleted Wolves rotation.

TV and streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers

• Television: Fox Sports North, NBA TV (out-of-market)
• Radio: 830 WCCO
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers are currently the top team in the Eastern Conference, powering through the trade rumors that swirled a few weeks ago over the possibility of a James Harden trade.

Ben Simmons was the reported centerpiece of any rumored offer for Harden, and his on-court play certainly hasn’t been negatively impacted this season. He’s still a defensive force and averaging 13 points, 8.6 rebounds, and eight assists per game.

Embiid has been fantastic, and new addition Seth Curry is shooting an insane 50.9 percent from beyond the arc.

The Sixers play fast but are still fantastic defensively. Any team that gets out in transition and locks down on the defensive end is a nightmare matchup for the Wolves, who are happy to play fast but struggle to consistently get back in transition.

As is always the case with no Towns in the lineup, the Wolves will need big games from Malik Beasley and both point guards; Ricky Rubio struggled mightily in Golden State and Jordan McLaughlin had a much quieter second game after a great performance in the first contest against the Warriors.

Anthony Edwards appears to have regained some of his confidence after a solid pair of games this week, and Minnesota will be relying on him to bring a scoring punch off the bench against the Sixers.

Injury report for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The Wolves will be without Towns and Hernangomez again due to health and safety protocols. Culver will miss his second consecutive game with a sprained ankle suffered Monday night, and Russell is listed as questionable due to his persisting quad injury.

Embiid is questionable for the 76ers and Mike Scott is out with a knee injury.

Check back postgame for player grades. Enjoy Friday night hoops!