[10:40 PM] Timberwolves @ Kings

Who will WIN this matchup?

Minnesota Timberwolves (0-1)

@ Sacramento Kings (1-1)

 

Current odds:

Minnesota Timberwolves: (-125)

Sacramento Kings: (+105)

 

• ESPN simulations have Minnesota as XX% favorites to win the game.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on Sacramento to win as (TBD) underdogs.

• The line for this game is Timberwolves by 1.5 points.

• The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Sacramento Kings both brought in new head coaches with strong defensive resumes designed to coax talented rosters into some discipline. That process is ongoing, and both teams will get an early look at which is improving faster when the Kings host the Timberwolves on Saturday.

• Thibodeau frequently drew criticism when he was the coach of the Chicago Bulls for playing his starters heavy minutes, and he showed no sign of doing anything different in Minnesota on Wednesday as all five starters logged at least 33 minutes. Andrew Wiggins led the way with 25 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 but pulled down only four rebounds.

• The Sacramento fans that showed up to the opening of the new arena were treated to a strong performance from DeMarcus Cousins, who tallied 37 points and 16 rebounds. Cousins’ effort on the defensive end will be a key to the Kings success in Joerger’s system, and he and Kosta Koufos combined to hold the San Antonio starting frontcourt of LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol to 8-of-20 from the floor on Thursday. Sacramento could use more production from the starting backcourt of Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo, neither of whom reached double figures in scoring in the first two games.

• Timberwolves rookie PG Kris Dunn scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting over 15 minutes in his NBA debut.

• The Kings are 12-of-41 from 3-point range through the first two games.

• Minnesota took each of the four meetings last season.

StreakSmarts Pick: Sacramento Kings

Confidence: 5/10

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