The Portland Trail Blazers will aim to break a five-game losing streak on Thursday night when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second time in a week. Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET at Moda Center, Portland. There are just three games scheduled for tonight ahead of the All-Star break this weekend.
The Timberwolves are enjoying life atop the Western Conference and Northwest Division standings through 54 games and boast a 38-16 record. However, the Blazers are down in 14th-place with a record of 15-38, and also rank bottom of the same division.
Points Bet have Minnesota listed as 9-point favorites heading into the matchup (-110), whilst they are -425 on the moneyline. The game total is set at O/U 214. We’ll be digesting all of the information you need before tonight’s game and providing you with our best bet!
Last Time Out
Both teams had Wednesday off after they clashed on Tuesday night, with the Timberwolves running out as 121-109 victors in their visit to Portland. That meant Chris Finch’s side were able to pick up their third straight win, largely thanks to a stunning display by Anthony Edwards. The All-Star guard put up a game-high 41 points, whilst Rudy Gobert impressed too with a double-double (16 points and 15 rebounds).
The hosts have been on a poor run and have lost their last five successive games, including a 128-122 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons (8-46). They haven’t won since the beginning of the month in a 119-116 triumph at home to the Milwaukee Bucks. Portland has also lost its last three successive home matchups.
Injuries & Team News
One major concern ahead of the game for the Timberwolves is that Edwards is day-to-day due to a slight knee issue and is currently listed as questionable. Fellow guard Wendell Moore Jr. is also in doubt for the game due to a knee injury. Jaylen Clark has been ruled out.
Meanwhile, Portland will have guard Rayan Rupert sidelined due to an ankle problem. 2023 third overall pick Scoot Henderson is questionable too with a foot sprain. That would be an offensive blow for the Blazers, especially since Malcolm Brogdon remains out with elbow tendonitis. Shaedon Sharpe, Moses Brown and Robert Williams III all remain in the injury room as well.
Head-to-Head
Tuesday’s matchup was the second of the season between the Timberwolves and the Trail Blazers. Minnesota were able to go 2-0 up in the series having already beaten Portland 116-93 last month. Center Gobert has enjoyed both meetings this season, also recording a double-double in the first matchup (24 points and 17 rebounds).
Betting Trends & Stats
The visitors have had the best defense in the league according to points per game (107.0), and that has been the main reason for their impressive season. Portland could struggle to score points tonight since they have scored the second-lowest ppg across the NBA (108.2).
Minnesota have been good against the spread, too, and have the ninth-best ATS record in the league (28-24-2). However, they have covered slightly less on the road (50%). The Timberwolves’ 6.7 point differential is the third-best in the league.
The Blazers have covered in less than 50% of their total games this season and have an ATS record of 25-28-0. This drops to 44% for home matchups, but they are 10-10-0 as home underdogs. The Timberwolves will be looking to capitalize on Portland’s -8.3 point differential (fifth-worst in the NBA).
Key Players
Averaging the same number of ppg (26.1) than Nikola Jokic, it’s safe to say that Edwards is having a top quality season for Minnesota. The 2020 first overall pick has been named as an All-Star in back-to-back seasons and he would be a huge miss if he can’t feature tonight.
However, the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns (22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists) and Gobert (13.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists) are both capable scoring options.
Brogdon (15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.5 assist) and Sharpe (15.9 points, 5 rebounds, 2.9 assists) will be the biggest losses for the Blazers tonight. Their weak offense will be hindered even further as a result.
Nevertheless, the team’s leading point scorer in Anfernee Simons (23.3 ppg) offers some hope. Deandre Ayton will be looking for another impressive performance like on Tuesday when he put up 22 points and 16 rebounds.
Best Bet
The Timberwolves easily defeated the Blazers in the second of a back-to-back on Tuesday, and should be well rested after a day off yesterday. Although Edwards is questionable, Portland has its own issues with both Brogdon and Sharpe out and Henderson doubtful.
Minnesota has comfortably beaten tonight’s opponents by over 10 points in each meeting so far this season. With the spread below double digits again, we recommend backing the road team to cover.
Minnesota Timberwolves -9 (-110 with Points Bet)
