Timberwolves vs Sixers odds, injuries in undefeated matchup

The Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves will face off in an undefeated ‘something must give’ game. Here are the lastest Sixers odds and everything you need to know for the game.

The Philadelphia 76ers are, as far as their record shows, perfect so far. Their 3-0 start to the season is their best start since 2013-14. They are the last undefeated team in the Eastern Conference. In their fourth game, they’ll meet the Minnesota Timberwolves who have also started the season 3-0, their own best start since, you guessed it, 2013-14.

The similarities don’t stop there. Both of these teams have not had luck beyond the arc early on, clocking in at 26th and 27th in 3-point percentage through Monday night. For the Sixers, this is a concern.

Something has to give on Wednesday night in a fierce matchup between two teams showing solid production thus far. The Timberwolves, who missed the playoffs last year with a record of 36-46, have exceeded expectations and are lead by big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

He’ll face off with Joel Embiid and the Sixers. May the best team win.

Sixers odds against Timberwolves

• Favorite: Sixers (-7.5)
• Over/under: 222.5
• Moneyline: -320 Philly/+260 Minnesota

Odds courtesy of The Action Network. Displayed odds current as of Wednesday at 2:30pm EST.

Tickets, TV and streaming info for Philadelphia 76ers vs Minnesota Timberwolves

• Television: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: 97.5 ESPN
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options
• Tickets: StubHub offers ticketing options

Are the Timberwolves for real?

The Timberwolves are off to a fantastic start to their season.

On top of the obvious 3-0, they are second in the league in net rating, fourth in points per game, and sixth in assists. They started their season with a convincing win over the Brooklyn Nets, getting a win despite Kyrie Irving exploding for 50 points.

They handed the Miami Heat their only loss of the season so far as well.

The Wolves are outplaying expectations thus far, but it’s early. They beat the Nets with one player scoring 50 points, as mentioned. Impressive, but that is indicative of a lackluster supporting cast.

The Heat win was good, but their third win was over the Charlotte Hornets, expected to be the league bottom-feeder this year.

Philadelphia is a good test for Minnesota. Even if they lose, keeping this one close will be a good sign for Timberwolves supporters and only adds to the tight competition that the Western Conference will see throughout the year.

Karl-Anthony Towns vs Joel Embiid

As is almost always the case for a Sixers game, the most intriguing face-off is the center position.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid are both making very strong (early) cases for First-Team All-NBA this season and this matchup will be a good one.

The two have feuded before, primarily in a lighthearted manner on Instagram.

There are only two big men in the league averaging over 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists per game — those players are Embiid and Towns.

With Embiid having only played two games there is a lack of a data point, and what Towns is doing is quite frankly otherworldly so far. Let’s not mince words — he’s been incredible.

Through three games he’s having his way and making it look easy, averaging 32.0 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Tack on 3.0 steals per game as well.

In terms of advanced numbers, his offensive rating is 130 and his defensive rating is 90(!) through the first three matchups.

Don’t forget about Robert Covington

While some casual fans might have to look a little hard to have an appreciation for what Robert Covington has been doing this season, Sixers fans can pretty easily point it out.

Covington was a “Process Player” with the Sixers as they rebuilt their squad and was shipped out in a trade last year (along with Dario Saric) for Jimmy Butler. Butler walked in free agency this summer, but the Sixers were able to net Josh Richardson in a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat.

The Sixers certainly miss Covington and his shooting, though he was fairly streaky during his time in Philly. He’s averaging 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game so far this year after missing the final months of 2018-19 with a knee injury.

Covington hasn’t changed much. A 3-and-D guy, he’s extremely intelligent on both ends of the floor and will exploit you if you get lazy. He’s a player that the Sixers need to watch when they’re on defense and one that could utilize holes created by KAT’s gravity with quick cuts.

Also of note, Jarrett Culver has been quiet so far, as one might expect from a rookie. Is tonight the night he shows out?

Skill level across both teams determines favorite

The Timberwolves have some bright spots. So far, as a unit they’ve performed well, overcoming early doubts in their season opener.

Looking at their roster overall, though, they lack the talent that Philly has when they are healthy.

KAT is as good as or better than Embiid, but their 1-4 starting lineup is Jeff Teague, Josh Okogie, Andrew Wiggins, and Robert Covington. Most would take Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson, Tobias Harris, and Al Horford over the Wolves counterparts individually.

As a unit, sure, the Wolves may have a stronger cohesion given that a lot of these guys played together last year, but talent generally supersedes that.

KAT is great, but the Sixers are 4-1 when they play the Wolves with Embiid.

This said, Towns has truly been on another level this season. If the Wolves are to win this game, it will be on the back of Towns (and the fact that they had two days off before this game to the Sixers’ one). That’s a hard thing to predict with certainty going up against a defensive stalwart such as Embiid.

Philadelphia 76ers injuries

Joel Embiid appears fine after a recent ankle sprain. He had 36 points and pulled in 13 rebounds in Philly’s win over Atlanta Monday night.

Mike Scott seems to have recovered from his own sprained ankle, playing two games after the fact but was ejected early in the matchup against the Atlanta Hawks for committing a flagrant 2 (that certainly was not a flagrant 2).

Shake Milton hyperextended his knee against the Hawks and is day-to-day.

Minnesota Timberwolves injuries

The Timberwolves have no injuries reported.

This game tips off at 7pm EST on Wednesday night.