Both are in for a must-win game as the San Antonio Spurs hope to go back home up 3-1. The Minnesota Timberwolves, of course, want it knotted at two apiece.

Catch the game tomorrow, May 11th, Monday, at 7:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: San Antonio Spurs (2-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • De’Aaron Fox
  • Stephon Castle
  • Devin Vassell
  • Julian Champagnie
  • Victor Wembanyama 

San Antonio has carried its momentum beautifully through the first three games of the series. After a dominant Game 2 blowout, the Spurs followed it up with a gritty, 115-108 road victory in Game 3, showing they can win in different ways. The growth and composure of this young group have been impossible to ignore.

Victor Wembanyama continues to look like a future face of the league, and perhaps sooner than expected. His monstrous Game 3 stat line of 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks was another reminder of how terrifying his ceiling is. But what truly makes San Antonio dangerous is the collective buy-in around him. The chemistry is obvious every time they take the floor.

Seven different Spurs are averaging double figures in the series, including Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Keldon Johnson. That balance, paired with one of the league’s best defensive systems all season long, has allowed San Antonio to control the rhythm of the matchup. They’ll look to keep imposing that physical, connected style in Game 4.

HOME: Minnesota Timberwolves (1-2)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Mike Conley
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Jaden McDaniels
  • Julius Randle
  • Rudy Gobert

Minnesota suddenly finds itself in a difficult spot after surrendering the home-court advantage it stole in Game 1. Now trailing 2-1, the Timberwolves enter what feels like a must-win scenario, especially with the series heading back to San Antonio afterward.

Anthony Edwards deserves credit for battling through a hyperextended knee and still producing at a respectable level, but the burden on him has become overwhelming against San Antonio’s loaded defense. The injuries around him haven’t helped. Donte DiVincenzo’s torn ACL in the first round stripped the Wolves of an important two-way presence and shooter.

Minnesota also needs much more from its frontcourt. Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle are collectively shooting just 37.5% in the series, and that inefficiency has bogged down the offense at key moments. Ayo Dosunmu, who provided sparkplug heroics in Round 1, is clearly limited after his own injury and has gone just 4-of-16 through two games in this series.

The Timberwolves still have the talent and defensive toughness to respond, but the urgency could not be higher. Falling behind 3-1 against this Spurs team would make the road ahead look extremely bleak.

PICKS

Spread: Spurs (-4.5)
Over/Under: Over (218)