The highly anticipated return of Karl-Anthony Towns to the Target Center is set to create an emotional atmosphere in Thursday’s nationally televised game between the 14-11 Timberwolves and the 16-10 Knicks. The Wolves, fresh from their Western Conference Finals appearance, will face off against a resurgent Knicks team that was one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The trade that brought Towns to New York in July 2022 has given both teams a new look, with the Wolves boasting a strong defense led by Rudy Gobert and the Knicks showcasing impressive offense under coach Tom Thibodeau. The starting lineups will play a crucial role in this matchup, as the Wolves’ five-man unit featuring Towns, Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert have logged 297 minutes together, second only to another team’s lineup.
The key matchups will focus on how Towns fares against Gobert, with the two former teammates needing to adjust to a new dynamic after nine years of playing together. Towns has thrived in his first season with the Knicks, averaging 24.8 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, but faces an elite defender in Gobert.
Meanwhile, the Wolves’ bench players will need to step up against the Knicks’ potent offense, particularly secondary scorer Mikal Bridges and X-factor Naz Reid. The Knicks’ depth has been a major factor in their recent success, with Donte DiVincenzo struggling from deep but still capable of making an impact.
The game promises to be an intense and closely contested matchup between two teams that have shown significant improvement since the trade. With playoff-like levels of motivation on both sides, every possession will matter as they battle for a crucial win in the standings.
Source: https://www.si.com/nba/timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-news/timberwolves-knicks-preview-betting-line-key-matchups-in-kats-return-01jfdtk6qw8g