New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves Preview: How, Who to Watch in Thanksgiving Road Trip Closer

The New York Knicks' chance to end a lucrative five-game road trip on a high note won't come easy against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Aw, jeez ... the Minnesota Timberwolves might be a problem. 

As questions about Karl-Anthony Towns' future continue to linger, the Timberwolves have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA. Their nine early wins have made for the best dozen-game start in franchise history since 2001 and they'll go for their 10th triumph on Monday night against the New York Knicks.

The Knicks enter on their own wave of momentum, having won six of their past seven as they reach the final stage of a five-part road trip. New York has already secured a winning record on the trek thanks to a sweep of a weekend back-to-back, disposing of Washington on Friday before prevailing in Charlotte on Saturday. Minnesota likewise earned a Saturday victory, wrapping up a five-game business trip of its own with a narrow one-point win in New Orleans. 

This will be the first of two showdowns between the Knicks and Timberwolves this season, with the latter set to visit Manhattan on New Year's Day. The two teams have split each of the past three couples and each side won on the other's home floor last season. 

What: New York Knicks (8-5) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (9-3)

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

When/Watch: Monday, 8 p.m. ET, MSG

Who's Favored: MIN -2.5

Randle drives during last year's career-best showing vs. Minnesota / Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS

Keep An Eye On: Julius Randle

While the Knicks have enjoyed valuable contributions throughout their lineup, it's clear that the most impactful player is still Randle: New York sputtered to a 2-4 start when Randle got off to a nightmarish start from the field. But Randle has not only rediscovered his shooting game (24.3 points on 45.5 percent shooting over the last seven) but he's been an unexpected distribution hub, putting up at least five assists in each of the past six, including 24 combined over the most recent trio. Randle will be looking for Monday night revenge: the last tilt with the Timberwolves saw a jaw-dropping 57-point performance at Madison Square Garden erased by a victory for the visitors.

Wolf to Watch: Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns is the latest case of literal fantasy basketball among Knicks fans, who continue to hunt for an established superstar to join their fold. If Towns is truly disgruntled about his situation in Minnesota he's got a funny way of hiding it: during Minnesota's own 4-1 road trip, the three-time All-Star averaged 27.4 points and 10 rebounds, capping things off with a dazzling 10-of-11 performance against New Orleans. Towns saved the best for last in The Big Easy, driving for a victorious floater with five seconds remaining en route to the ultimate difference in a 121-120 win.

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They Said It

"Whenever he’s on the court, I’ve seen him do a lot of things in whatever role he’s been in, so I’m not really surprised at all. But I just know that he works really hard. He’s a gym rat. He strives for perfection all the time. I’m not really surprised by it. But it’s pretty cool to see it, one of your best friends playing that way."-Point guard Jalen Brunson on Donte DiVincenzo (h/t Steve Popper, Newsday)

Prediction

No matter what happens on Monday night, the Knicks can be proud of themselves for several positive developments, such as winning without primary talents in tow, overcoming adversity, and handling business against subpar competition. Going into a frenzied Minneapolis against an established star group that's clicking on all cylinders just seems like a little too much to ask for, especially in the wake of two back-to-backs in a seven-day span. The ultimate win for the Knicks should be the de facto Thanksgiving vacation coming up, as they'll have four days off before resuming In-Season Tournament play against the Miami Heat.

Timberwolves 111, Knicks 108