Canadian Andrew Wiggins now has a couple of other stars to lean on as Minnesota makes a push for the playoffs.
For years, travelling to Minnesota was a game NBA teams marked as a win on their schedules, but the Wolves are no longer rolling over for opponents. Led-by Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns and Canadian Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota is on pace for its first playoff appearance since 2004. The Raptors will try to tame the T-Wolves a night after narrowly beating the Spurs.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 20 Jan 2:53pm | TOR | -3.5 -110 | O +214.5 -110 |
| Closing 21 Jan 1:57am | TOR | -2 -110 | O +213.5 -110 |
Toronto is coming off an 86-83 home win against the San Antonio Spurs but didn’t cover as a 6-point favourite. The Raptors are now 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games and 24-20 ATS on the season. The 86 points scored was the Dinos’ lowest offensive output in a game this season and the game easily went under the 204-point total. The over is still 23-21 in Toronto games and the Canadian club is still third in the league in points per game at 111.4. The Timberwolves are on a two-game losing streak after coming off their strongest stretch of the season. Minnesota won in convincing fashion against the Cavaliers and Thunder in the span of a couple days earlier this month. Minnesota owns a three-game lead over the Thunder in the Northwest division and sit in fourth place in the Western Conference at 29-18 straight up and 22-23-2 ATS. The T-Wolves are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games but the Raptors are 5-0 ATS in their last five away dates. Toronto is 1-3 ATS in its last four games against Minnesota.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto head coach Dwane Casey has already started the campaign to get Kyle Lowry another playoff appearance – although Lowry’s performance against the Spurs reminded NBA coaches his around the league his value. Lowry scored 24 points and hit 4-of-9 from 3-point land on Friday in his best shooting performance in nearly a month.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota was a little slow getting out of the block this season as the squad worked in three new starters in Butler, point guard Jeff Teague and veteran forward Taj Gibson. Butler let Towns and Wiggins take the majority of shots for the first month of the season but began to assert himself by the beginning of December.
The Timberwolves own the sixth-best offensive rating in the NBA despite ranking second last in 3-pointers made per game.
Injuries
Fred VanVleet (PG)
OG Anunoby (SF)
Pascal Siakam (PF)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Norman Powell (SF)
Lucas Nogueira (C)
Jonas Valanciunas (C)
CJ Miles (SF)
Delon Wright (PG)
Nigel Hayes (SF)
Jeff Teague (PG)
Tyus Jones (PG)
Taj Gibson (PF)
Derrick Rose (PG)
Justin Patton (C)
Cole Aldrich (C)
Shabazz Muhammad (SG)
Aaron Brooks (PG)
Marcus Georges-Hunt (SG)
Jamal Crawford (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Thurs | Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 18 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet is dealing with a shoulder injury but is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cavaliers. |
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| OG Anunoby (SF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 23 / 04 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Anunoby suffered an ankle injury but is likely to be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Wizards. |
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| Pascal Siakam (PF) | Prob Sun | Mouth - 21 / 04 / 18 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Siakam will likely be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Wizards despite requiring stitches for a lacerated lip. |
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| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Sat | Mouth - 12 / 04 / 18 | 5-5 | 6-4 | + - |
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Ibaka is expected to play against the Wizards in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round despite taking a hit to his mouth in a previous game. |
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| Norman Powell (SF) | Ques Mon | Knee - 09 / 04 / 18 | 6-5 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Powell suffered a knee injury in the previous game and it is unclear if he will play Monday against the Pistons. |
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| Lucas Nogueira (C) | Ques Sat | Hamstring - 08 / 04 / 18 | 7-5 | 7-6 | + - |
|
Nogueira is dealing with left hamstring tightness and it is uncertain if he will play against the Wizards in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Jonas Valanciunas (C) | Out Sun | Rest - 08 / 04 / 18 | 7-5 | 7-6 | + - |
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Valanciunas will receive a day of rest and will not participate in Sunday's game against the Magic. |
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| CJ Miles (SF) | Prob Sun | Illness - 21 / 03 / 18 | 8-12 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Miles has missed the last two games due to a bout of gastroenteritis but is expected to be available against the Clippers on Sunday. |
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| Delon Wright (PG) | Doub Sun | Toe - 06 / 03 / 18 | 13-16 | 15-15 | + - |
|
Wright missed the last game due to a sprained right big toe and is not likely to play on Sunday against the Knicks. |
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| Nigel Hayes (SF) | Ques Fri | Personal - 06 / 03 / 18 | 13-16 | 15-15 | + - |
|
Hayes is dealing with visa issues and it is uncertain if he will be available for Friday's tilt against the Rockets. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Teague (PG) | Prob Wed | Finger - 24 / 04 / 18 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Teague is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets despite a dislocated finger. |
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| Tyus Jones (PG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 23 / 04 / 18 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Jones is hampered by soreness in his right knee but is likely to play against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
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| Taj Gibson (PF) | Prob Sun | Neck - 15 / 04 / 18 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Gibson is expected to play against the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets despite a neck injury. |
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| Derrick Rose (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 06 / 04 / 18 | 6-3 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Rose is battling an ankle injury but is expected to be available for Friday's game against the Lakers. |
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| Justin Patton (C) | out for season | Foot - 04 / 04 / 18 | 6-3 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Patton had surgery on his left foot to repair a fractured metatarsal and is likely to miss the remainder of the season. |
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| Cole Aldrich (C) | Ques Mon | Illness - 26 / 03 / 18 | 6-6 | 6-7 | + - |
|
Aldrich is battling an illness and it is uncertain if he will be available against the Grizzlies on Monday. |
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| Shabazz Muhammad (SG) | Out Fri | Coach's Decision - 01 / 03 / 18 | 10-12 | 13-10 | + - |
|
Muhammad will not be available Friday against the Jazz as he works with the team toward a buyout. |
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| Aaron Brooks (PG) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 01 / 03 / 18 | 10-12 | 13-10 | + - |
|
Brooks has been sidelined due to a personal matter and it is uncertain when he will return. |
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| Marcus Georges-Hunt (SG) | Ques Fri | Illness - 07 / 02 / 18 | 12-18 | 20-11 | + - |
|
Georges-Hunt has missed the last five games with an illness and his availability for Friday against the Rockets is uncertain. |
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| Jamal Crawford (SG) | Prob Thurs | Toe - 25 / 01 / 18 | 16-21 | 23-15 | + - |
|
Crawford is expected to be on the court for Thursday's game against the Warriors despite an injured toe. |
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Raptors vs. Timberwolves Prediction
-
RAPTORS
107 -
TIMBERWOLVES
102
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 20 Jan 2:53pm TOR -3.5 -110 O +214.5 -110 Closing 21 Jan 1:57am TOR -2 -110 O +213.5 -110 -
Injuries
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Thurs Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 18OG Anunoby (SF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 23 / 04 / 18Pascal Siakam (PF)
Prob Sun Mouth - 21 / 04 / 18Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Sat Mouth - 12 / 04 / 18Norman Powell (SF)
Ques Mon Knee - 09 / 04 / 18Lucas Nogueira (C)
Ques Sat Hamstring - 08 / 04 / 18Jonas Valanciunas (C)
Out Sun Rest - 08 / 04 / 18CJ Miles (SF)
Prob Sun Illness - 21 / 03 / 18Delon Wright (PG)
Doub Sun Toe - 06 / 03 / 18Nigel Hayes (SF)
Ques Fri Personal - 06 / 03 / 18Jeff Teague (PG)
Prob Wed Finger - 24 / 04 / 18Tyus Jones (PG)
Prob Wed Knee - 23 / 04 / 18Taj Gibson (PF)
Prob Sun Neck - 15 / 04 / 18Derrick Rose (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 18Justin Patton (C)
out for season Foot - 04 / 04 / 18Cole Aldrich (C)
Ques Mon Illness - 26 / 03 / 18Shabazz Muhammad (SG)
Out Fri Coach's Decision - 01 / 03 / 18Aaron Brooks (PG)
Out indefinitely Personal - 01 / 03 / 18Marcus Georges-Hunt (SG)
Ques Fri Illness - 07 / 02 / 18Jamal Crawford (SG)
Prob Thurs Toe - 25 / 01 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Thurs Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 18 2-2 2-2 + - VanVleet is dealing with a shoulder injury but is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cavaliers.
OG Anunoby (SF) Prob Wed Ankle - 23 / 04 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Anunoby suffered an ankle injury but is likely to be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Wizards.
Pascal Siakam (PF) Prob Sun Mouth - 21 / 04 / 18 3-4 3-4 + - Siakam will likely be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Wizards despite requiring stitches for a lacerated lip.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Sat Mouth - 12 / 04 / 18 5-5 6-4 + - Ibaka is expected to play against the Wizards in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round despite taking a hit to his mouth in a previous game.
Norman Powell (SF) Ques Mon Knee - 09 / 04 / 18 6-5 7-5 + - Powell suffered a knee injury in the previous game and it is unclear if he will play Monday against the Pistons.
Lucas Nogueira (C) Ques Sat Hamstring - 08 / 04 / 18 7-5 7-6 + - Nogueira is dealing with left hamstring tightness and it is uncertain if he will play against the Wizards in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Jonas Valanciunas (C) Out Sun Rest - 08 / 04 / 18 7-5 7-6 + - Valanciunas will receive a day of rest and will not participate in Sunday's game against the Magic.
CJ Miles (SF) Prob Sun Illness - 21 / 03 / 18 8-12 11-10 + - Miles has missed the last two games due to a bout of gastroenteritis but is expected to be available against the Clippers on Sunday.
Delon Wright (PG) Doub Sun Toe - 06 / 03 / 18 13-16 15-15 + - Wright missed the last game due to a sprained right big toe and is not likely to play on Sunday against the Knicks.
Nigel Hayes (SF) Ques Fri Personal - 06 / 03 / 18 13-16 15-15 + - Hayes is dealing with visa issues and it is uncertain if he will be available for Friday's tilt against the Rockets.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jeff Teague (PG) Prob Wed Finger - 24 / 04 / 18 0-1 1-0 + - Teague is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets despite a dislocated finger.
Tyus Jones (PG) Prob Wed Knee - 23 / 04 / 18 1-1 2-0 + - Jones is hampered by soreness in his right knee but is likely to play against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Taj Gibson (PF) Prob Sun Neck - 15 / 04 / 18 3-2 3-2 + - Gibson is expected to play against the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets despite a neck injury.
Derrick Rose (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 18 6-3 4-5 + - Rose is battling an ankle injury but is expected to be available for Friday's game against the Lakers.
Justin Patton (C) out for season Foot - 04 / 04 / 18 6-3 4-5 + - Patton had surgery on his left foot to repair a fractured metatarsal and is likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Cole Aldrich (C) Ques Mon Illness - 26 / 03 / 18 6-6 6-7 + - Aldrich is battling an illness and it is uncertain if he will be available against the Grizzlies on Monday.
Shabazz Muhammad (SG) Out Fri Coach's Decision - 01 / 03 / 18 10-12 13-10 + - Muhammad will not be available Friday against the Jazz as he works with the team toward a buyout.
Aaron Brooks (PG) Out indefinitely Personal - 01 / 03 / 18 10-12 13-10 + - Brooks has been sidelined due to a personal matter and it is uncertain when he will return.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (SG) Ques Fri Illness - 07 / 02 / 18 12-18 20-11 + - Georges-Hunt has missed the last five games with an illness and his availability for Friday against the Rockets is uncertain.
Jamal Crawford (SG) Prob Thurs Toe - 25 / 01 / 18 16-21 23-15 + - Crawford is expected to be on the court for Thursday's game against the Warriors despite an injured toe.