The Timberwolves’ first regular-season game of the new campaign now has a date and a destination: October 21 in Miami, against the Heat at the Kaseya Center.
That makes for a tricky opening night for Minnesota. The Wolves will be trying to settle in on the road while the Heat welcome Giannis Antetokounmpo for his regular-season debut in Miami. On the other side, Timberwolves fans will get their first look at LaMelo Ball in a Minnesota uniform in a game that already has the feel of a measuring stick.
What makes this matchup stand out is the shape of both rosters. Miami’s headline names are in the frontcourt, with Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo giving the Heat plenty of star power near the rim. Minnesota, meanwhile, leans into the backcourt, where Ball and Anthony Edwards give the Timberwolves one of the league’s most dangerous guard pairings.
The defensive assignments should be fascinating. Davion Mitchell brings elite perimeter defense and figures to spend time chasing one of Minnesota’s explosive guards. On the other end, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert will be asked to slow down Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
There’s another familiar face in the mix, too. Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves’ former No. 1 overall pick from 2014, will be on the opposite side for Miami.
The Heat have made the Play-In Tournament in four straight seasons, and adding Antetokounmpo is clearly aimed at changing that. Minnesota and Miami may play in different conferences, but both are being viewed in a similar tier with a little over two months left before the season starts. DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Wolves at +2500 to win the title, tied for sixth-best, while the Heat sit at +3000.
Minnesota also has some recent history on its side. The Timberwolves have beaten Miami three straight times, including both meetings last season by a combined 38 points. All told, the teams have met 72 times, and the series is even at 36 wins apiece.
The spread for the opener has not been set yet, but with the game in Miami, Minnesota would likely enter as a slight underdog. In the end, this one may come down to which team gets comfortable faster with its new star.
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