The Knicks are looking to get back in the win column as they face Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves.

The New York Knicks (4-5) clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves (5-5) tonight at 9:15 EST. After a tough schedule last week, the Knicks walked away with a few bumps and bruises. A huge win against the Philadelphia 76ers (albeit, without James Harden and Joel Embiid playing) helped the Knicks avoid a five-game losing streak.

New York struggled to be competitive with some of the East’s top teams for 48 minutes, but new lineup revelations showed some promise. The Knicks face the Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder this week after playing the Wolves. Getting a win in Minnesota is crucial to securing a record above .500 by the week’s end.

Struggling to keep up with the East’s new upper class, fans are quickly realizing the Knicks may not have a seat at the big-kid table yet. There were signs the Knicks could be competitive though, as new lineups sparked the offense. Don’t give Tom Thibadeau all the credit, though. If Mitchell Robinson wasn’t currently sitting with a knee injury, Thibs probably would’ve rolled out the same 10-man rotation as always. Look for some different lineups tonight that push the ball in transition as that’s been the Knicks saving grace so far this season.

As New York continues to find its footing, so do the Timberwolves. Sitting at 5-5, the trade for Rudy Gobert has not looked as good as the front office would’ve hoped. But with Gobert out tonight (Health and Safety Protocols), Karl-Anthony Towns should look more comfortable operating at the center spot which he played most of last season. Instead of being stuck on the perimeter, Towns has the space inside and out to wreak havoc on New York’s big-man rotation.

The game should be frenetic, as the Timberwolves rank fourth in pace but turn the ball over sixteen times per game. Even if the Knicks defense doesn’t take advantage of the turnovers, the Timberwolves give up the second-most shots in the league, so there are multiple ways to win tonight.

One problem though: most of the shots Minnesota concedes to teams come from behind the arc. The Knicks have not been a great three-point shooting team to start the year, shooting 33 percent. So, hopefully, someone can get hot and keep the Knicks within striking distance to close this one out.

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