Why the Timberwolves Still Have a Shot Against San Antonio

The Timberwolves aren’t exactly the favorites in their latest playoff series against the Spurs. In fact, they’re big underdogs—so big that sportsbooks hardly give them a chance to even make the next round. Minnesota is missing two key players, including star Anthony Edwards, who’s still recovering from an injury. Yet, the Wolves have pulled off surprises like this before, so maybe the odds aren’t the whole story. San Antonio comes into the series as one of the NBA’s best teams, with a top defense and a defensive player of the year in Victor Wembanyama. But the Spurs haven’t faced much pressure in the playoffs yet, and their inexperience could work in Minnesota’s favor. If the Wolves can keep games close, they might force San Antonio into mistakes late. The Spurs also rely on Wembanyama for rim protection, meaning Minnesota’s usual inside game won’t work as well.One major issue for the Timberwolves? Their three-point shooting. In the last series, they struggled from long range, which won’t fly against a team with a strong perimeter defense. The Wolves need to find other ways to score, even if it means adjusting their usual playstyle. Defense could be their secret weapon—last time out, they shut down Denver enough to stay in the series. If they can disrupt San Antonio’s rhythm, they might have a real chance. The series starts in San Antonio, where the Spurs have home-court advantage. But Minnesota has surprised teams before. Maybe this time, they’ll do it again.