The full NBA schedule isn’t out yet but the Wolves know where they’ll be on opening night: San Antonio, where the Spurs have been crushing opponents in home openers at a 90% clip for the last 20 years.
Look what the Spurs have done in home openers since 1997.
- 2016: 98-79 over Pelicans
- 2015: 102-75 over Nets
- 2014: 101-100 over Mavericks
- 2013: 101-94 over Grizzlies
- 2012: 86-84 over Thunder
- 2011: 95-82 over Grizzlies
- 2010: 122-99 over Pacers
- 2009: 113-96 over Pelicans
- 2008: 98-103 loss Suns
- 2007: 106-97 over Trail Blazers
- 2006: 81-88 loss Cavaliers
- 2005: 102-91 over Nuggets
- 2004: 101-85 over Kings
- 2003: 83-82 over Suns
- 2002: 91-72 over Raptors
- 2001: 109-98 over Clippers
- 2000: 98-85 over Pacers
- 1999: 89-76 over 76ers
- 1998: 101-83 over Kings
- 1997: 83-80 over Cavaliers
If the Wolves beat the Spurs in the opener it will snap an 13-game losing streak against San Antonio, and, perhaps, signal the end of a 13-year playoff drought, the NBA’s longest.
Ironically, the season opener is set for Oct. 18, just five days after one of only two Friday the 13ths in 2017.
For the record, the Wolves are due to start beating the Spurs. San Antonio leads the all-time series 84-28, which features win streaks over the Wolves of 12, 9, 16 and 13.
As for San Antonio’s home opener dominance, 1997 was Tim Duncan’s rookie year. One year earlier the Timberwolves beat the Spurs 82-78 in the season opener. That was the worst roster San Antonio’s had since drafting Duncan, who’s already been retired for a full year.
The Spurs’ starting lineup that night in 1996: Avery Johnson, Vinny Del Negro, Sean Elliott, Carl Herrera and Greg Anderson.
If you’ve heard of three of those five you’re doing quite well for yourself.
