Bucks Get Run Off Their Own Floor as Wolves Cruise, DarkHorse Pick Craters

The Timberwolves came into Fiserv Forum and absolutely dismantled Milwaukee 116-97, turning what was supposed to be a competitive preseason tilt into a laugher. So much for home court being worth 2.5-3 points—the Bucks got boat-raced by 19 and never looked remotely competitive.

DarkHorse's Bucks +4.5 pick didn't just miss, it got torched. The original thesis banked on Minnesota's stars sitting or playing limited minutes while Milwaukee's "deep, balanced" rotation would grind out a tight finish. Instead, the Wolves' talent gap proved overwhelming regardless of who was on the floor. Whether Edwards and company played heavy minutes or the bench mob took over, Minnesota's offensive firepower and defensive intensity never wavered. The 116 points they hung suggests their system is already clicking, preseason or not.

Milwaukee's projected starters—Herro, Rollins, Jaquez, Kuzma, Turner—looked anything but sturdy. The Bucks managed just 97 points at home and got outclassed in every phase. Donte DiVincenzo's absence for Minnesota? Didn't matter one bit. The Wolves covered the spread by nearly 15 points, making this one of those nights where the "take the home dog in preseason" angle gets exposed as wishful thinking. Sometimes talent just wins, exhibition or not.