Timberwolves vs. Pacers game preview: Broadcast info, injury report and analysis

Chris Hine's breakdown: The NBA's top offense meets the league's best defense Saturday night at Target Center.

December 16, 2023 at 5:12AM
Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers shot past Miami’s Jimmy Butler during a game on Nov. 30. (Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WOLVES GAMEDAY

vs. Indiana Pacers, Target Center, 7 p.m. Saturday

TV; radio: BSN; iHeartRadio app

Stats and analytics: Tap here.

Chris Hine's preview:

Opening bell: Saturday's matchup pits the league's No. 1 offense in Indiana against the Wolves' No. 1 defense in a great contrast of styles. The Wolves will have a few things going in their favor — they will have the rest advantage with the Pacers playing a back-to-back following a 137-124 loss at Washington on Friday, and Indiana's defense is third-worst in the league.

Watch him: Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has taken the league by storm in his fourth season. Haliburton is averaging 26.1 points and leads the league with 12 assists per game. He suffered a knee contusion in Friday's loss to Washington, however, and his status for Saturday is questionable.

Injuries: The Pacers didn't have Andrew Nembhard (right knee bone bruise) and Jalen Smith (left knee bone bruise) available Friday. Wolves G Anthony Edwards (hip pointer) is questionable.

Forecast: The Wolves will have a slight edge thanks to the schedule, but Saturday feels like it could go in any direction. The Pacers have eight players averaging double figures and how they match up with the Wolves defense will be something NBA fans who have followed this season closely will want to check out. If the Wolves can make Indiana work harder than it normally does to get quality looks, and limit their efficiency just a bit, the Wolves should be able to score enough points on the other end to make up for what they'll allow.

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about the writer

Chris Hine

Reporter

Chris Hine is the Timberwolves reporter at the Star Tribune.

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