Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks on Monday, January 18 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Knicks about a 77% chance, and the Timberwolves would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Knicks 77%, with a projected score of Minnesota Timberwolves 109, New York Knicks 117. The rating gap is 109 points in favor of the Knicks, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Knicks on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 4 like it goes the other way.
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 Knicks are 0-2 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.8.
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.
Injuries to watch
Out: Donte DiVincenzo (MIN), expected back Apr 2, 2027.
Day to day or questionable: Jose Alvarado (NYK). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the series is even, with the Knicks outscoring the Timberwolves by an average of 5.3 points per game. The last meeting was NYK 104, MIN 115.