Minnesota Timberwolves game previews between December 5 and December 11, including games against: Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors.

The Wolves play 4 games in 6 days--all against .500 or above opponents. While the previous week was capped off by an impressive overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets, the Wolves dropped two winnable contests against the Knicks and sit at 6-14. As bad as that looks, 6-19 could raise signs of a white flag.

San Antonio Spurs

Tuesday, 6 December 2016 at 08:00 PM ET Home

Despite the loss of all-time Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich continues to lead the Spurs in many fashions. The basketball team is second in the Western Conference; the culture is unparalleled: "Win the Championship? I don't know, but it's not a priority in my life. I'd be much happier if I knew that my players were going to make society better." Historically, the Spurs have dominated the Wolves with snappy passing and a superior bench. Not to mention dark horse MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard. 

Toronto Raptors

Thursday, 8 December 2016 at 07:00 PM ET Away

The Raptors are hot. They are 7-3 in their last 10 and have blowing inferior teams out of the water. While the Wolves typically hang tight, point guard Kyle Lowry will prove a tough matchup. While early, the Raptors currently sit only a game behind the Cavaliers in the East. After multiple playoff disappointments, the roster appreciates the importance of the playoff home-court advantage and will come to fight each and every night.  

Detroit Pistons

Friday, 9 December 2016 at 08:00 PM ET Home

Despite the loss of star point guard Reggie Jackson (and Boston College alum), Stan Van Gundy has kept the Pistons afloat. Consequently, multiple advanced analytic websites predict them to finish within the top four of the East. Van Gundy has established a 'wall' of defense and used Ish Smith as efficiently as one can. However, the Pistons are erratic. They've lost to the Magic, Knicks, Suns and Nets, yet conquered the Thunder, Clippers, Celtics, and Hornets. After the Spurs and Raptors, Thibodeau's team may need a win, and this will be their best opportunity in a gruesome week.

Golden State Warriors

Sunday, 11 December 2016 at 07:00 PM ET Home

To cap the week, the Wolves face the surging (uh-oh) Warriors. Golden State is 18-3 and coming off a 60-point 3-quarter performance by Klay Thompson. Their plus/minus differential is over five points better than any other NBA team. Kevin Durant looks like an MVP candidate--and so does Curry. While two weeks ago, the Wolves only lost by 13 (seriously an achievement), the Warriors led by 17 after three-quarters and without Draymond Green. To simplify it all, choosing between guarding Durant versus Curry versus Klay is a lose-lose-lose.