Raptors vs. Timberwolves Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
Absolutely no reason for Raptors coach Nick Nurse to play any of his key guys on Tuesday to close the 2018-19 regular season at Minnesota with Toronto locked into the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Either Saturday or Sunday, the Raptors will host the No. 7 seed – which is still to be determined – in Game 1 of the Eastern quarterfinals. Of course, we will have every Raptors playoff game (and others) covered here at Sports Interaction.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Timberwolves snuck into the playoffs last year on the final day of the regular season, but they are simply playing out the string on a disappointing campaign. Coach Tom Thibodeau was fired months ago and replaced on an interim basis by Ryan Saunders, who is likely to get the full-time job. This isn’t a franchise that takes many risks. Could Tuesday be the final home game in a Timberwolves uniform for Toronto native Andrew Wiggins? The former No. 1 overall pick has been highly disappointing this year and likely be shopped. The problem for the Wolves is they would be selling low and that Wiggins has four years left on a five-year, $148 million contract. Even by NBA standards, that’s grossly overpaid.
Toronto looks for its first season sweep of Minnesota since the 2014-15 season. The Raptors were 112-105 home winners over the Wolves way back on Oct. 24 to win for the 15th straight time at home in the series. Kawhi Leonard had 35 points and Kyle Lowry 13 points and 10 assists. The Timberwolves still had Jimmy Butler (since traded) back then, and he led with 23 points. Wiggins was out injured and Karl-Anthony Towns, the franchise player, had 14 points and eight rebounds.
Minnesota is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The total has gone over in six of the previous eight.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto damaged the playoff hopes of Miami with a 117-109 home overtime win Sunday. The Heat’s Bam Adebayo made a layup at the end of regulation but it came after the buzzer. It was a very confusing final sequence for the Heat regarding the inbounds play and the officials. Norman Powell had a season-high 23 points, Pascal Siakam 23 points and 10 rebounds, Leonard 22 points and Danny Green 21 in the loss. Green tweaked his ankle but says he’s fine. Still, it would be a shock if he plays Tuesday.
Toronto has scored at least 110 points in eight straight games, tying a franchise record. The Raptors do have one thing to play for: The second-best record in the NBA, which could prove very helpful in a potential Finals against Golden State.
Minnesota Timberwolves
This is Minnesota’s home finale – it closes the season Wednesday in Denver. The Timberwolves had a two-game winning streak snapped in a 132-126 home loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday. Towns had 35 points, Wiggins 24 and Dario Saric 23. Minnesota has scored at least 100 points in a team-record 29 straight games. The team is 30-12 when tied or leading after three quarters and 6-32 when not.
The Timberwolves have shut down guards Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague and forward Robert Covington for the season. Taj Gibson also likely is done. Minnesota is 2-7 ATS in its past nine vs. the East.
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