\n<\/p>\n
Due in part to his knee issues, Anthony Edwards is averaging 21.3 points and 2.8 assists on 44.2% field-goal shooting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0Download the NBA App<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n A glass-half-full perspective for Minnesota in its Western Conference semifinal series<\/a> would suggest that the Timberwolves have the San Antonio Spurs right where they want them. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It was only 24 months ago, after all,\u00a0the Wolves prevailed in a situation similar to what they face now. Then as now, they trailed 3-2 in the series against Denver<\/a>, not only the higher seed but the defending NBA champions. Then as now, the Wolves regrouped at home<\/a>, using Game 6 to propel themselves to not one but two victories. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They whooped the Nuggets at Target Center 115-70, then mounted a furious second-half comeback<\/a> in Game 7 to reach the West Finals for the first time in 20 years. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Drawing on that experience shouldn\u2019t be too difficult, considering the Wolves went back to the conference finals last year. The opponents they\u2019re facing Friday<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(9:30 ET, Prime Video<\/a>)<\/span><\/b>, the Spurs, are a deep and aggressive bunch led by a big man, Victor Wembanyama, as uniquely talented in his way as Denver\u2019s Nikola Joki\u0107 is in his. And the Wolves already dispatched<\/a> Joki\u0107 and his mates two weeks ago.<\/span><\/p>\n The parallels sort of end there. Minnesota was essentially built to knock off Denver by the same front-office exec, Tim Connelly, who built the Nuggets\u2019 title team.\u00a0It\u2019s not likely there\u2019s one team among the other 29 that is built to handle the Spurs\u2019 advantage with\u00a0Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 Frenchman who puts every game plan through a stress test.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n San Antonio has every reason to want to close out this series in Game 6<\/span>.<\/span><\/b> Avoiding a Game 7 reduces the margin for error, reduces its guys\u2019 injury exposure and conserves a couple of days\u2019 and 48 minutes\u2019 of general wear and tear. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It wouldn\u2019t earn the Spurs more rest \u2013 if they win Friday, the West Finals will move up to start on Monday. But if this series requires a Game 7, the winners\u2019 next foe \u2013 Oklahoma City, which swept the Lakers \u2013 will have had a full week off before the Wednesday opener. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are three things to watch for in Game 6:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n1. Wolves get off to a better start<\/h3>\n