Even for a team with young legs, facing a stretch of four games in five nights is always a daunting task. When that fourth game is against an elite team in the NBA, it becomes more of a challenge. Minnesota completes its four-in-five stretch by hosting San Antonio on Tuesday.
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SCHEDULING
The Spurs won for the 30th time without a loss this season at home, knocking off the Sacramento Kings 104-94 on Saturday night. One week after completing their eight-game Rodeo Road trip, San Antonio goes back on the road for a quick two-game trip on consecutive nights. Following a stop in Indiana on Monday, the Spurs wrap it up by visiting the T-Wolves on Tuesday. Given the age of the Spurs core group, one might think they would have difficulty in the second of their back-to-backs. That hasn’t been the case. San Antonio is 13-0 SU and 8-5 ATS, though the Spurs failed to cover the 9.5-point spread in a 94-86 win at New Orleans in their most recent situation.
The Timberwolves shot a franchise-best 68.4 percent to beat the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night in the second of a back-to-back. They’ll get a chance to duplicate that effort Tuesday against the Spurs when they play their fourth game in five nights. The T-Wolves are in Charlotte on Monday night before returning to the Target Center. Minnesota won for just the second time in its 12 back-to-back sets this season when it knocked off the Nets, and covered to improve to 5-7 ATS in such games. It figures to be a more difficult challenge against the Spurs, who won each of the first two meetings, including a 108-83 cover win at the Target Center on Dec. 23.
INJURIES
Tim Duncan and Danny Green took the night off and LaMarcus Aldridge sat with a migraine, but the Spurs were still able to extend their homecourt streak with a win over Sacramento on Saturday. All three players are expected to be back in the lineup for the team’s back-to-back set. However, it’s possible Manu Ginobili sits one of the games since he just returned from groin surgery.
The Timberwolves have been without the services of forwards Kevin Garnett and Nemanja Bjelica, and center Nikola Pekovic, who all remain out indefinitely with injuries.
KEY MATCHUP
Sometimes young NBA stars need a wake-up call to remind them about their place in the league. Having talent is one thing, playing with a purpose is another. Minnesota coach Sam Mitchell sat four of his starters for the second half of Friday’s loss to Milwaukee following some lackluster play. The group, including second-year player Andrew Wiggins, responded. Last season’s Rookie of the Year is widely seen as a building block for the young Wolves and he has the talent to be a special player for years. However, the dedication is lacking sometimes. The organization views the 6-8 Wiggins as a small forward and not the shooting guard he’s been playing. The transition hasn’t been an easy one. But when Wiggins plays, he is fun to watch. After his second half benching, Wiggins responded, just like the team did, with a monster shooting night. Wiggins scored 26 points hitting 10 of 14 shots, both of his three-point attempts and all four free throws, leading the Wolves to a franchise record shooting performance.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Even when several starters sit out a game, the Spurs just reach to the end of their bench to get someone to fill the void. Duncan and Green were given a day of rest Saturday, and the Spurs defeated Sacramento. It’s hard to know when coach Gregg Popovich is going to rest his veterans, but he picks the right games to do it and he’s a master at using his reserves. Minnesota’s young, athletic starting group could give the Spurs some problems, but San Antonio finds a way to overcome the mismatches it faces. The team’s depth has a lot to do with that. And the Spurs are a much deeper club than Minnesota. Both teams play the second of a back-to-back, so the Wolves may have a slight edge in that area. But the Spurs are just too solid of a team with plenty of depth. Look for Minnesota to cover, but the Spurs get another victory.
San Antonio 108, Minnesota 101
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