Timberwolves' top defense faces Spurs without Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves (4-2), with the NBA's best defense, face the Spurs (3-2), who turn it over least, in San Antonio on Saturday, October 31, at 8:00 PM ET, without Anthony Edwards.

Minnesota allows 101.4 points per 100 possessions, first in the league, and its net rating of 14.1 also leads the NBA. The Timberwolves hold opponents to the fifth-lowest effective field goal percentage, 49.7%.

The Spurs give that defense little to take. They turn the ball over on 11% of their plays, the lowest rate in the league, so Minnesota's 13.7% opponent turnover rate, 16th, has few easy chances to climb. San Antonio shoots 53% effective, 19th, and rarely reaches the line.

Victor Wembanyama averages 25 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.8 blocks, and the blocks matter against a Minnesota team that rebounds 30.4% of its misses, seventh. De'Aaron Fox adds seven assists a game.

Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 33.3 points a game and is listed out until Monday, December 21. Donte DiVincenzo, at 30.5 minutes a game, is out until Friday, April 2. Rudy Gobert pulls down 12.3 rebounds a game, and LaMelo Ball averages 6.7 assists in 25.9 minutes.

Tobias Harris is out for San Antonio until Friday, November 6, and Jayden Quaintance until Thursday, December 3. The Spurs have won three straight, the latest 117-111 at Utah. Minnesota beat the LA Clippers 127-101 at home in its last game, after a 119-114 loss to Golden State.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Spurs an 82% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, gives San Antonio 79%.