Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves look to keep their strong recent play going as they return home to take on the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Wolves are back at Target Center for a lone home game sandwiched among four games on the East Coast.

It’s also the most winnable game, as Minnesota hosts the 9-13 Indiana Pacers before entering a stretch in which the next seven games and 16 of the next 17 are against teams with records currently above the .500 mark.

The Wolves defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on the road in a double-overtime thriller on Saturday, and other than a hiccup in Charlotte on Friday night, have played extremely impressive basketball for the last two weeks.

The Pacers started the season by losing six of their first seven games but have played better of late. They lost to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday and head to Target Center for the second game of a back-to-back.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds vs. Indiana Pacers

The Timberwolves are three-point favorites over the Pacers, according to WynnBet. Given the updated injury report (more on that in a moment), it wouldn’t be a shock if this line moved down just a bit before tip-off.

TV and streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers

• Tip-off: 7:00 CT
• Television: Bally Sports North
• Radio: 830 WCCO
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have lost a number of close games this season and have played a bit better than their 9-13 record would indicate.

Outside of T.J. Warren, who has missed the entire season to this point, the Pacers have been relatively healthy. They’re currently ranked No. 13 in defensive rating and No. 15 in offensive rating. The Pacers are a top-10 rebounding team on both ends of the floor, and they have a balanced offensive attack.

It’s the type of team that could give the largely volatile Wolves some issues. Then again, if the Timberwolves are on their game offensively, the Pacers may simply lack the offensive firepower to keep up.

Malcolm Brogdon (20.4 points per game on 45.8 percent shooting) and Domantas Sabonis (17.4 points per game on 55.6 percent shooting) account for a huge chunk of the Pacers’ offense, although a now-healthy Caris LeVert is starting come on as well.

As silly as this sounds, Monday could function as something of a “trap game” for the Wolves, sandwiched between four tough road games. A standalone home game against a below-.500 team is absolutely dangerous.

As long as the Wolves play with energy and urgency, however, they should be just fine.

Injury report for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers

The Wolves are still without Patrick Beverley due to an adductor strain. New additions to the injury report are Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaden McDaniels, who are both questionable with “flu-like symptoms”, per Timberwolves PR.

It goes without saying that the Wolves could be hurting defensively sans either one of those players, especially when dealing with the length of Brogdon, LeVert, Sabonis, and Myles Turner.

The Pacers should be at full strength, minus Warren.

We’ll be back after the game with player grades. Enjoy the game, and here’s to 11-10!