Timberwolves at Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs attempt to extend their franchise-best homecourt
winning streak to 27 games when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on
Monday. San Antonio is 17-0 on the home floor this season after
recording a 101-86 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
The Spurs and Timberwolves are playing for the second time in six days and San Antonio rolled to a 108-83 victory at Minnesota on Wednesday. The Spurs tied a season best with 10 3-pointers and had a dominating 47-31 rebounding edge while controlling the contest. The young Timberwolves have lost three straight games and 11 of last 14 and committed 22 turnovers while losing 102-88 to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. "They made too many mistakes, but we understand that and we've just got to keep working with them," interim coach Sam Mitchell told reporters. "It's not going to happen overnight. Everybody thinks defense is easy in the NBA. It's hard because all you see is pick and roll, all you see is guys quick enough to beat you off the dribble."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (11-19): Minnesota has lost the last three games by an average of 17.7 points while scoring just 90 points per game. Rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns has been solid and has scored 24 or more points in four of the past six games but too many other players are struggling. Veteran shooting guard Kevin Martin has been benched for the past two games while the team attempts to trade him while second-year guard Zach LaVine - the recipient of increased playing time - had just nine points on 3-of-10 shooting against the Pacers.
ABOUT THE SPURS (26-6): Center Tim Duncan and shooting guard Manu Ginobili were rested against the Nuggets on Saturday and will be back in the lineup against Minnesota. Small forward Kawhi Leonard had 19 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in last week's victory over the Timberwolves and he has scored 19 or more points in each of the past eight games. Marquee free-agent signee LaMarcus Aldridge continues to have ups and downs while trying to fit in and has scored 12 or fewer points in three of the past four games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Spurs have won the past five meetings by an average of 23.4 points.
2. Minnesota SG Andrew Wiggins had just 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting in Wednesday's loss to the Spurs.
3. Backup San Antonio PF/C Boris Diaw is averaging 11.5 points on 60 percent shooting over the past four games.