Brooklyn is showing a lot of moxie these days, as evidenced by their refusal to go down quietly in Milwaukee. Minnesota is one of several clubs log jammed in the Western Conference and are looking to bounce back after a throttling handed to them by Philly earlier in the week.

The NBA odds ordain that the host Timberwolves are -4.5 favourites with the over-under set at 229.5.

Nets vs. Timberwolves NBA Betting Odds

Both contests involving these intraconference foes have been saved very late in the season.  Tonight is the first of the duology (the second is in Brooklyn on April 4). Off-season and trade deadline moves have resulted in both franchises looking nothing as they did a year ago when each side defended home court.

Jacque Vaughn is turning things around for the second time in the same season. That’s not something that can be said about many coaches. Betters can take solace in the fact that Brooklyn has covered the last four spreads, including in defeat on Thursday. They’ve also been a balanced road team, earning an 18-17 record thus far. Of note, the under has claimed the spoils four times in a row.

Evaluating Minnesota is tricky. After all the splashy offseason decisions, here they are at 34-33, clinging to seventh in the West. On the flip side, the club has been without Karl-Anthony Towns since the end of November when he suffered a right calf strain. So is this team over-performing without one of its stars or underperforming because they still have Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards? Case in point: they are 5-5 in their last 10 with respect to both outright wins and losses and spreads.

Brooklyn Nets

Losing is never fun, but sometimes good can come out of a defeat, especially if a club shows grit in the face of obvious adversity. Such was the case Thursday night for the Nets in Milwaukee.

The host Bucks tossed the Nets around like a ragged doll in the opening 12 minutes, taking an intimidating 37-20 lead. Brooklyn showed courage by not giving up and took advantage of Giannis Antekounmpo’s absence. After the first-quarter obliteration, they didn’t lose another period all night, winning two. The injury bug has bitten Brooklyn hard, forcing them to rotate heavily, hence the curious stats sheet with a bunch of “starters” finishing with zero points. Cam Thomas had himself a game, going for 21 points, as did the always reliable supporting man Patty Mills, who tallied 23 of his own. But without Giannis, the Bucks relied on Brook Lopez to do the heavy lifting on defence, and did he ever, what with nine blocks, a career best. Nets fall 118-113 but hold their heads high.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Tuesday night was something of a litmus test. In a campaign that has been the definition of topsy-turvy (they’re only a game over .500), hosting the Philadelphia 76ers was an opportunity to see where the cards lay against some of the best opposition the NBA has to offer.

Well, it didn’t go smoothly. What might annoy Timberwolves fans was that the manner in which they lost the game reflected some of their worst moments from last season, which suggests the club is still learning the same lessons. They came out strong, battling a good first quarter for a 27-24 lead. But then the second quarter saw Philly dominate with no mercy, 34-18. The visitors shot the lights out, going 49.4 to Minnesota’s passable but unspectacular 39.5. The 76ers also completely blew the Wolves away from beyond the arc, shooting a beguiling 60 per cent. Joel Embiid went 4-for-4 from range and Tobias Harris 6-for-6! Anthony Edwards led the hosts with 32, but it was clearly not enough as they lost 117-94.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nets vs. Timberwolves?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Nets Team Leaders

BK

Points	Kyrie Irving 27.1
Assists	Spencer Dinwiddie 9.08
Rebounds	Nic Claxton 9.24
FG%	Nic Claxton 70.5
Steals	Cameron Johnson 1.4
Blocks	Nic Claxton 2.49

MIN

Points	Anthony Edwards 24.63
Assists	Mike Conley 5
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 11.63
FG%	Rudy Gobert 65.9
Steals	Anthony Edwards 1.58
Blocks	Rudy Gobert 1.36

BK

Points	Mikal Bridges 23.5
Assists	Spencer Dinwiddie 6.5
Rebounds	Nic Claxton 8
FG%	Nic Claxton 72
Steals	Spencer Dinwiddie 1.25
Blocks	Nic Claxton 1.75

MIN

Points	Anthony Edwards 31.6
Assists	Mike Conley 6.4
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 12.2
FG%	Rudy Gobert 63
Steals	Josh Minott 2
Blocks	Anthony Edwards 2

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Timberwolves Team Leaders

BK

Points	Kyrie Irving 27.1
Assists	Spencer Dinwiddie 9.08
Rebounds	Nic Claxton 9.24
FG%	Nic Claxton 70.5
Steals	Cameron Johnson 1.4
Blocks	Nic Claxton 2.49

MIN

Points	Anthony Edwards 24.63
Assists	Mike Conley 5
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 11.63
FG%	Rudy Gobert 65.9
Steals	Anthony Edwards 1.58
Blocks	Rudy Gobert 1.36

BK

Points	Mikal Bridges 23.5
Assists	Spencer Dinwiddie 6.5
Rebounds	Nic Claxton 8
FG%	Nic Claxton 72
Steals	Spencer Dinwiddie 1.25
Blocks	Nic Claxton 1.75

MIN

Points	Anthony Edwards 31.6
Assists	Mike Conley 6.4
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 12.2
FG%	Rudy Gobert 63
Steals	Josh Minott 2
Blocks	Anthony Edwards 2

Injuries

Brooklyn

Nic Claxton (C)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23

Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23

Seth Curry (SG)

Prob Sat Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Edmond Sumner (PG)

Prob Sat Hip - 08 / 04 / 23

Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)

Prob Sat Wrist - 08 / 04 / 23

Cameron Johnson (PF)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)

Prob Fri Wrist - 05 / 04 / 23

Day'Ron Sharpe (C)

Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 23

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 26 / 03 / 23

Minnesota

Jaylen Nowell (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 24 / 04 / 23

Kyle Anderson (SF)

Out Tues Eye - 24 / 04 / 23

Josh Minott (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 22 / 04 / 23

Jaylen Nowell (SG)

Prob Sun Knee - 22 / 04 / 23

Josh Minott (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 21 / 04 / 23

Jaylen Nowell (SG)

Prob Fri Knee - 20 / 04 / 23

Rudy Gobert (C)

Prob Fri Back - 20 / 04 / 23

Jaylen Nowell (SG)

Prob Wed Knee - 18 / 04 / 23

Rudy Gobert (C)

Prob Wed Back - 18 / 04 / 23

Jaylen Nowell (SG)

Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 04 / 23

Injuries

Brooklyn

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Nic Claxton (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Claxton is taking a day of rest, and he will not suit up against the 76ers on Sunday.
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Dinwiddie will be absent from Sunday's showdown with the 76ers as he is taking a rest day.
Seth Curry (SG)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Curry is managing a left ankle injury, but it is likely that he will lace up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
O'Neale injured his left knee, but it is anticipated that he will bounce back in time for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the 76ers.
Edmond Sumner (PG)	Prob Sat	Hip - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Sumner is tending to a right hip contusion, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)	Prob Sat	Wrist - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Finney-Smith is dealing with a right wrist contusion, but it is projected that he will face the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Johnson is nursing right knee soreness, but it is not likely to affect his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)	Prob Fri	Wrist - 05 / 04 / 23	2-4	3-4	+ -
Finney-Smith sat out the last game due to a right wrist contusion, but it is projected that he will partake in Friday's clash with the Magic.
Day'Ron Sharpe (C)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 30 / 03 / 23	3-6	4-6	+ -
Sharpe is expected to take on the Hawks on Friday despite a left ankle sprain.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 26 / 03 / 23	4-7	5-7	+ -
O'Neale was absent from the previous game with left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will face the Rockets on Wednesday.

Minnesota

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jaylen Nowell (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 24 / 04 / 23	1-1	1-0-1	+ -
Nowell is dealing with left knee tendinopathy, but it is not expected to impact his availability versus the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Kyle Anderson (SF)	Out Tues	Eye - 24 / 04 / 23	1-1	1-0-1	+ -
Anderson is nursing an eye injury, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round against the Nuggets.
Josh Minott (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 22 / 04 / 23	1-2	2-0-1	+ -
Minott is hindered by a left ankle sprain, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Nuggets.
Jaylen Nowell (SG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 22 / 04 / 23	1-2	2-0-1	+ -
Nowell has tendinopathy in his left knee, but it is likely that he will lace up for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Nuggets.
Josh Minott (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 21 / 04 / 23	1-2	2-0-1	+ -
Minott is hindered by a left ankle sprain, and it is uncertain if he will partake in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Nuggets.
Jaylen Nowell (SG)	Prob Fri	Knee - 20 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Nowell has tendinopathy in his left knee, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Nuggets.
Rudy Gobert (C)	Prob Fri	Back - 20 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Gobert is dealing with back spams, but it is anticipated that he will face the Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round.
Jaylen Nowell (SG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 18 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Nowell is tending to left knee tendinopathy, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Nuggets.
Rudy Gobert (C)	Prob Wed	Back - 18 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Gobert is dealing with back spams, but he is expected to face the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round.
Jaylen Nowell (SG)	Ques Sun	Knee - 15 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Nowell is tending to left knee tendinopathy, and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Nuggets.