Gameday Primer: Wolves @ Spurs

​By: Dan Slaubaugh

Happy Monday, Wolves fans. How 'bout that Vikings win last night? Seriously impressive. Let's hope it's a signal they are getting hot at the right time. 

Regarding the Wolves; They're in San Antonio tonight and have to face the Spurs again. The Wolves are currently 11-19, which is the 5th worst record in the NBA, yet they are just 2 games back from the 8th spot in the Western Conference. Pretty crazy. The Spurs (26-6) are a lock to make the playoffs, and perhaps go deep. Let's just say it's going to be hard for anyone to beat them 4 times. 

What: Wolves @ Spurs
Where: AT&T Center. San Antonio, Texas.
When: 7:30 pm CST
Where to watch: Fox Sports North
Where to listen: 830 WCCO Radio

What to watch for: 

Tyus and Lavine: I'm not gonna get too fancy here. Just watch to see how they move the ball together tonight and how they play with each other. Look to see if they can give the 2nd unit some punch tonight.

Duncan-Towns: Tim Duncan is ageless and is still very effective at the age of 39. Karl-Anthony Towns is a rookie phenom who is currently leading the Rookie of the Year race. Duncan is averaging 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.43 blocks on the season while KAT is averaging 16.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Who will be superior tonight? The Big Fundamental or the Big KAT? 

Spurs defense: In the last matchup between the 2, the Spurs didn't have much trouble containing the Wolves leading scorers (Wiggins, Towns) and pretty much completely shut them down at the rim. They played great interior defense denying Wiggins several times at the rim. Of course, it didn't help the Wolves spacing was terrible. Minnesota could be in for another rough shooting night if they're spacing is reminiscent of their last matchup against SAS. 

Team Leaders

Minnesota
Points: Andrew Wiggins (20.8)
Rebounds: Karl-Anthony Towns (9.3)
Assists: Ricky Rubio (8.6)
Steals: Ricky Rubio (2.2)
Blocks: Karl-Anthony Towns (2)

San Antonio
Points: Kawhi Leonard (20.9)
Rebounds: Lamarcus Aldridge (8.8)
Assists: Tony Parker (4.9)
Steals: Kawhi Leonard (2.1)
Blocks: Tim Duncan (1.4)

Projected Starters

Minnesota
PG: Ricky Rubio
SG: Andrew Wiggins
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Karl-Anthony Towns

San Antonio
PG: Tony Parker
SG: Danny Green
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Lamarcus Alridge
C: Tim Duncan

Injury Report

Minnesota

OUT: Nikola Pekovic (achilles)

San Antonio

None

Enjoy the game tonight. Last time out, the Spurs made the Wolves look like fools with incredible ball movement and lock down defense. It won't get any easier tonight as the Spurs haven't lost at home all year. Not once. But, it's sports, so you never know. 

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the game. Go Wolves.