Sacramento Kings vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 11/14/25, 4:56 PM  by Erik Gibbs in NBA Picks

The Sacramento Kings head into today's NBA Cup group-stage matchup at Target Center searching for any kind of spark. Sacramento's 3-9 start has been plagued by defensive breakdowns, and their current four-game losing streak has exposed those issues even further. During this skid, the Kings have allowed at least 132 points in three of the four losses, including last week's 144-117 collapse against these same Minnesota Timberwolves. Even when Sacramento has shot the ball well enough to stay competitive, those offensive gains have been washed away by an inability to get stops, protect the paint, or keep opponents off the offensive glass.

Minnesota, on the other hand, continues to trend upward. Winners of five of their last six, the Timberwolves have blended efficient scoring with elite size and interior dominance. Their frontcourt, anchored by Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, has dictated the rebounding battle and shut down second-chance opportunities for opponents. The Wolves' starting lineup has consistently provided strong two-way output, while Naz Reid has continued to be a major difference-maker off the bench, offering instant offense and energy.

The Wolves' recent win over Utah showcased their ability to control tempo, execute late, and generate high-quality looks across the roster. Their combination of rim protection, perimeter pressure, and versatile scoring makes them a difficult matchup for a Kings team that's already struggling to stay organized defensively. Sacramento's recent performance in transition defense and pick-and-roll coverage is especially worrying, given Minnesota's improved ball movement and increased confidence in attacking mismatches.