Our ratings lean toward the Timberwolves on the road against the Pacers on Saturday, January 2, at about 69%. That is a real edge, but the Pacers are far from out of it.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Timberwolves 69%, with a projected score of Minnesota Timberwolves 116, Indiana Pacers 111. The rating gap is 235 points in favor of the Timberwolves, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Pacers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 31 times in 100 games like this, the Pacers would win.
Recent form
The Timberwolves are 2-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.4. The Pacers are 1-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.4.
The Timberwolves' best recent win was 131-106 on the road against MIA.
The Timberwolves were beaten 139-109 at home by SAS not long ago.
The Pacers' best recent win was 123-94 on the road against BKN.
The Pacers were beaten 121-105 at home by DAL not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Donte DiVincenzo (MIN), expected back Apr 2, 2027, Johnny Furphy (IND), expected back Jan 2, 2027, and Ben Sheppard (IND), expected back Dec 1, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: T.J. McConnell (IND). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the series is even, with the Timberwolves outscoring the Pacers by an average of 1.5 points per game. The last meeting was MIN 124, IND 104.