Game Preview #31 – Timberwolves vs. Spurs

After pulling off two nail-biting victories on the road, the Wolves head home to face the Spurs. Can Minnesota contain Victor Wembanyama and close out 2024 at Target Center on a high note?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs
Date: December 29th, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM CST
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: FanDual Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Wrapping Up 2024: Wolves Look to Keep Rolling Against Spurs

Sometimes, being a Minnesota Timberwolves fan feels like starring in your own psychological thriller. After back-to-back Texas heart-stoppers—foiling the Dallas Mavericks’ 28-point comeback on Christmas Day and flipping a 16-point Houston Rockets lead with just over four minutes left—the Wolves have delivered more drama than a season of Succession. If you’re not a few years older and a lot more stressed after those games, you’re either lying or don’t own a TV.

Now, the Wolves return home to Target Center for the final home game of 2024, taking on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. This is the third leg of their Texas-themed week, but this time the Spurs are heading north to frigid Minneapolis. It’s a chance for the Wolves to close out the year on a high note in front of their fans, and frankly, they owe us a win after all this chaos.

A Tale of Two Matchups

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Spurs handed the Wolves their lunch back in early November. Yes, it was the second night of a back-to-back for Minnesota, but Wembanyama put on a defensive clinic. A few weeks later, the Wolves returned the favor with a convincing win in San Antonio. Even in defeat, Wembanyama swatted shots like he was playing volleyball, and the Wolves were left looking timid every time they got near the paint—even when Wemby wasn’t on the floor.

The question is: Which Wolves team will show up tomorrow night? The one that looked completely gassed and rolled over, or the one that ran the Spurs off their own floor?

Keys to the Game: Taking Down the Spurs

1. Contain Wemby

Victor Wembanyama is a cheat code. At 7’3” with an 8-foot wingspan, he’s blocking shots you didn’t even know could be blocked. The last time the Wolves played him, his defensive dominance got into their heads. They hesitated, second-guessed their drives, and the offense sputtered.

On the other side of the ball, Wemby’s no slouch either. Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle will need to put up a united front to keep him from taking over the game. Gobert, in particular, needs a bounce-back performance after Alperen Şengün turned him into a TikTok highlight reel last night. If Rudy can’t hold his ground, it’s going to be a long night for the Wolves.

2. Clamp Down on San Antonio’s Ball Movement

The Spurs love to swing the ball around the perimeter, and if the Wolves are late on their defensive rotations, they’ll get torched from deep. This is where the wings—Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Anthony Edwards—need to shine. High-pressure defense can force the Spurs’ young guards into mistakes, creating transition opportunities for the Wolves.

3. Avoid Offensive Blackouts

This has been the Wolves’ Achilles’ heel all season. Whether it’s long scoring droughts or sloppy turnovers, these lapses have cost them big (hello, Warriors and Hawks). Against Houston last night, they went from up 10 to down 18 in what felt like the blink of an eye. Sure, they rallied for the win, but living on the edge isn’t sustainable.

Chris Finch needs to be proactive here. If the offense starts sputtering, he can’t wait for the game to spiral out of control before making adjustments. Timeouts, lineup tweaks, and emphasizing ball movement will be critical.

A Chance to Close Out 2024 in Style

On paper, this should be a win for the Wolves. They’re more talented, more experienced, and playing at home. But we’ve seen what happens when they underestimate teams like the Spurs. San Antonio might be young and rebuilding, but they’re pesky—and Wembanyama is already a problem for even the best teams in the league.

This game isn’t just about securing another win; it’s about closing out what’s arguably been the best calendar year in Timberwolves history. From last season’s playoff run to their stretches of dominance this season, the Wolves have given their fans plenty to cheer about. A win tomorrow night would be the perfect capstone to an unforgettable year.

Of course, the Oklahoma City Thunder loom on New Year’s Eve, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now, let’s focus on taking care of business against San Antonio. A win here would set the tone for what could be a massive end to December—and hopefully, a launchpad for even bigger things in 2025.

So, Wolves fans, bundle up, head to Target Center, and let’s send 2024 out with a bang. Hopefully, the Wolves deliver a performance that leaves us raising our glasses, not reaching for the Pepto. Cheers to what’s been, and here’s to what’s next.