Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to keep a modest losing streak from snowballing as they return home to take on the Atlanta Hawks.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Wolves recently won seven out of eight games, but went on the road last week and lost in Washington and Brooklyn. They come home on a two-game skid but have a three-game homestand to try and right the ship.

In fairness, Karl-Anthony Towns suffered a tailbone contusion late in Wednesday’s game and missed Friday’s loss to the Nets. The Wolves still battled, with the game in Brooklyn truly coming down to the wire and the Nets requiring some late-game heroics from Kevin Durant to escape the Towns-less Wolves unscathed.

The Atlanta Hawks, for their part, have had a relatively disappointing start to the season. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals over the summer, the Hawks have stumbled to a 12-12 start. They’ve had a six-game losing streak and ultimately lost eight of nine contests, and they’ve also won seven consecutive games.

They come to Target Center having lost three out of their last four, including falling at home to a shorthanded Charlotte Hornets squad on Sunday.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Timberwolves are favored by 2.5 points against the Hawks, according to WynnBet. Remember, the Wolves are at home and haven’t played since Friday while the Hawks are traveling into town after a loss on Sunday.

TV and streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks

• 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. Atlanta Hawks

Unsurprisingly, the Hawks are one of the league’s best offensive teams. That’s partly what makes it so shocking that they are only 12-12 to this point. Of course, it also points to some serious defensive issues.

Trae Young has been phenomenal offensively, averaging 26.2 points per game while shooting a pair of career-bests: 45.9 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from 3-point range. He’s also increased his assist rate and seen his turnover rate fall to the lowest mark of his career.

John Collins, fresh off signing a new contract, has been great as well, putting up 17.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while making 40.9 percent of his long-range attempts. Clint Capela has been a near-perfect frontcourt partner, grabbing 12.5 boards per game and adding a physical element for Atlanta.

The Hawks are only No. 25 in the league in 3-point attempts per game but are shooting a fantastic 37.8 percent from deep as a team, the second-best mark in the league.

While the defensive issues are real, the Hawks are top-10 in rebound rate on both ends of the floor and will present a challenge for the Wolves on the glass.

There’s a chance that Patrick Beverley could return after missing the last several games due to an adductor strain. Either way, expect Josh Okogie and Jaden McDaniels to each get a shot at slowing down Young.

If Towns plays, he’ll have his hands full in the paint with the Collins/Capela duo. The Wolves need another big rebounding game from Jarred Vanderbilt, and they’ll need to rebound all five players as they did in last week’s win over the Indiana Pacers.

Injury report for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks

The most up-to-date injury report at this time has a quartet of Wolves players listed as questionable. Towns missed Friday’s game with a tailbone contusion but practiced on Sunday and appears to have a real shot at playing on Monday. Jaylen Nowell is on the injury report again with back spasms.

D’Angelo Russell was added to the report with soreness in the same ankle that was sprained earlier this season, causing him to miss a pair of games.

In encouraging news, Patrick Beverley was upgraded to questionable after missing the past couple of weeks with an adductor strain.

The Hawks were without Cam Reddish (illness) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) on Sunday against the Hornets and both will presumably remain out on Monday in Minnesota. De’Andre Hunter has been out for several weeks with a wrist injury and will remain out for at least another month.

We’ll be back after the game with player grades. Enjoy Monday night basketball, and here’s to 12-12!