Kings vs. Timberwolves Preview – By the Numbers

December 23, 2023

In classic Kings fashion this year, Sacramento followed up their blowout loss to the Celtics with a convincing win over the Phoenix Suns. the rollercoaster of a season continues, but all that matters is that the Kings winning percentage keeps going up. They’ve climbed up to 4th in the Western Conference with a 17-10 record and take on the top team in the West tonight in the Timberwolves.

Minnesota, 21-6, comes into the game with only the 17th ranked offense, but the top ranked defense in the NBA this season. They hold opponents to 44.1% shooting from the field, 2nd lowest in the league, and 33.5% from beyond the arc, 3rd lowest. They only give up 21.2 FTs each night, 7th fewest, and 41.2 Rebounds, 3rd lowest. Essentially, pick a defensive stat and odds are the Wolves are top 10 in it.

What the Kings did so well in the first matchup against Minnesota was make their 3’s, shooting 17-of-35 (48.6%) from beyond the arc. It was a game where everyone got going; De’Aaron Fox – 3/7, Malik Monk – 3/6, Trey Lyles – 3/6, Kessler Edwards – 2/3, Harrison Barnes – 2/4. Fox led the way with 36 Points, but everyone chipped in to take down the league’s best defense. It feels like they’ll have to do the same tonight rather than rely on a herculean effort from Fox or Sabonis.

For the Timberwolves, they’ll be without Karl-Anthony Towns due to left knee soreness. Towns is averaging 22.2 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, 3.0 Assists and 0.9 Steals per game on 51.5/42.1/89.6% shooting splits. He also put up 27 and 11 last game against the Kings. Without him, the Wolves will likely turn to Kings fan favorite Naz Reid, who is having a great year off the bench with 13.2 Points and 39.1% shooting from deep.

With Towns out, there is sure to be more offensive output from Anthony Edwards, who is having yet another career year. He’s at 24.8 Points, 5.5 Rebounds, 5.1 Assists, and 1.4 Steals on 45.2/37.9/85.6% shooting splits. It’ll be interesting to see if the Kings blitz and double team Edwards tonight, especially with Towns out. It’s a strategy that has worked well for the Kings this season, especially when they are sharp with their rotations and recover to the shooters after double teaming the stars.