It's win-or-go-home time for the Timberwolves Friday night when they host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of their second round NBA playoff series.
The Spurs are a game away from clinching the series and advancing to the Western Conference finals after a convincing Game 5 win at home.
Wolves center Rudy Gobert struggled to contain Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, but adds they still control their own destiny.
"No, it's on us, it's on us to keep doing the things that we can control, and those are the number one things that we can control," Gobert says. "Whatever we agree to do on any specific situation, try to do that, and you're not always going to stop the other team. But at least we give ourselves a chance to put ourselves in the best situation possible."
Wolves forward Jaden McDaniels is prepared for the pressure of a must-win game.
"No, I'm not nervous or none of that," McDaniels explains. "No more, after like my first playoff series, like my second year. ever since then it's no nerves or nothing, it's just another game. Just more at risk really."
The Timberwolves are trying to get the Western Conference finals for the third straight season. A win by the Wolves forces a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday in Texas.
One injury issue crept up on the Wolves Friday, and something to keep an eye on. Terrance Shannon Jr., a key bench scorer, was listed on the injury report as questionable with a head contusion.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minneapolis; Friday, 8:30 p.m.
LINE: Spurs -4.5; over/under is 218.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Spurs lead series 3-2
BOTTOM LINE: The San Antonio Spurs look to clinch the series over the Minnesota Timberwolves in game six of the Western Conference second round. The Spurs defeated the Timberwolves 126-97 in the last meeting on Wednesday. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 27 points, and Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 20.
The Timberwolves are 31-21 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 16.0 fast break points per game led by Ayo Dosunmu averaging 3.7.
The Spurs are 36-16 in conference games. San Antonio is second in the Western Conference with 47.0 rebounds per game led by Wembanyama averaging 11.5.
The Timberwolves' 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.8 more made shots on average than the 13.0 per game the Spurs give up. The Spurs average 13.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Timberwolves give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves. Edwards is averaging 17 points over the past 10 games.
Wembanyama is averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks for the Spurs. Stephon Castle is averaging 18.7 points and 6.1 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 108.5 points, 47.4 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 6.1 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.4 points per game.
Spurs: 7-3, averaging 114.7 points, 46.3 rebounds, 24.4 assists, 9.0 steals and 7.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 101.8 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: Donte DiVincenzo: out for season (leg). Terrance Shannon Jr: questionable (head contusion)
Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle).
