The Minnesota Timberwolves let the league know they weren’t the same old T’wolves when they shocked the San Antonio Spurs, the gatekeepers of the Western Conference for so many years, with a 106-96 home victory on Jan. 2. Minnesota caught fire in that matchup, shooting just under 58 percent from the field and getting double figures from five different players.
San Antonio at Minnesota (+1, 196.5)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, January 27, 2012
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
THE STORY: The Timberwolves have come back to earth a bit since that win, but still have enough youthful exuberance to hang with the top teams in the West, like their 105-90 road win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. The Spurs open a three-game road swing in Minnesota before traveling to Dallas and Memphis. San Antonio is the best home team in the league at 10-1 but has struggled to score victories away from the AT&T Center, going 2-6. However, the Spurs picked up a win in their most recent road game, downing New Orleans 104-102 on Monday.
TV: Fox SW, Fox Sports North, 8 p.m. ET
ABOUT THE SPURS (12-7): The Spurs’ road woes have a lot to do with a dip in offensive production. San Antonio is scoring 102 points per home game, but averaging only 95.7 on the road. The biggest difference is the ability to knock down the 3-pointer. The Spurs shoot nearly 41 percent from beyond the arc at home (third highest in the NBA), but just 32 percent on the road. Not having guard Manu Ginobili also hurts San Antonio’s perimeter attack. He’s out until late February with a broken hand, suffered in the last meeting with Minnesota.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (8-10): The T’wolves secured their franchise player for at least the next three years after signing power forward Kevin Love to a four-year, $62 million contract extension. However, Love does have an opt-out clause after his third year, leaving many Minnesota fans to wonder why the team didn’t throw more years and more money at arguably the best power forward in the NBA. With a new contract in hand, Love has been sensational, totaling 70 points and 22 rebounds in the last two games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Minnesota snapped a 16-game losing streak to San Antonio in their last meeting. The Spurs lead the all-time series 68-24.
2. The Timberwolves’ backcourt is thin with point guard Luke Ridnour questionable with a knee injury and Martell Webster doubtful after undergoing back surgery. That leaves Minnesota with only two true guards.
3. Forbes Magazine just released a list of the NBA’s most valuable franchises. San Antonio was ranked ninth ($418 million) while Minnesota was 27th ($272 million).
PREDICTION: Spurs 94, Timberwolves 89
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