Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves

San Antonio Spurs @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date: 3/8/16, Time: 7:00 PM Spurs Time
TV: FSSW - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI

The 'T-Pups' nickname is starting to seem a bit more apropos now that two of their more senior citizens have headed south (while Kevin Martin's situation still appears to be pending). That leaves plenty of Bengay for Tayshaun Prince and Kevin Garnett, the remaining veterans in the group, although the latter might be finished for the season -- and career.

The team's younger generation of players have continued to showcase their talents, with Karl-Anthony Towns cementing his case for Rookie of the Year. The Zach LaVine experiment at the point appears to be over, thankfully, as he settles into playing the shooting-guard position, and Andrew Wiggins is still an athletic marvel that teases fans with his unfulfilled potential as a lockdown defender.

San Antonio heads into Minnesota without Gregg Popovich and with another L on their record after a cold-shooting night against the Pacers. They'll be looking to sweep the season series after winning the first two contests within a week of each other at the end of the calendar year. The second in San Antonio was actually one of the closer games the Spurs have had at home, with fan spirit animal Boban Marjanovic breaking out for 17 points on 7-of- 7 shooting in a six-point win.

Since then, Minnesota coach Sam Mitchell appears to have loosened his leash on the pups, with Towns (who had sat a large portion of fourth quarters) finishing games next to Dieng. Along with LaVine's ascension to a starting job, it gives Wolves a good look at their lineup of the future. Unfortunately it also leaves them very thin on the bench and Mitchell hasn't shied away from playing those five big minutes. With his team also having played last night, he may need to lean a bit more on guys like Tyus Jones and Shabazz Muhammad.

As noted in Gomez's Pacers recap, Tony Parker left late with a toe injury, leaving his status for tonight a bit up in the air. You could do worse than replacing him with a savvy vet who should know a thing or two about the opponent, so we'll see if Ettore Messina vies for Andre Miller or Patty Mills to start at the 1 in the event that Parker rests.

San Antonio's yet to lose two games in a row this season. The bench should outshine Minnesota's tonight, and I like the way the Spurs match up with them on the wings. If SA is able to control the glass and the pace and not give up too many FTs (as they did in Indy), they should be able to come away with the bounce-back win.

Matchup to watch: Dueling stars. Aldridge and Towns should see a good amount of each other, while Kawhi Leonard doesn't get the night off, either. One night after facing Paul George he'll have his hands full trying to stay in front of the springy Wiggins. Leonard's gotten the better of Wiggins thus far, though, holding him to shooting in the mid-30s in six matchups.

Game prediction: Spurs by 9.

For the Timberwolves fans' perspective, visit Canis Hoopus.

As always, Tony must dominate Fisher.