Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Detroit Pistons Prediction, NBA Odds
The Minnesota Timberwolves will continue their bid for home-court advantage in round one of the Western Conference playoffs when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night. Minnesota (46-29) is a half-game behind Houston for the No. 5 seed and only two games back of Denver for the fourth spot. Meanwhile, Detroit (55-21) is close to wrapping up the top seed and home-court advantage throughout the East playoffs.
This marks the second and final head-to-head matchup of the season between these teams. It’s also the second in the past six days. They just faced each other last Saturday in Minnesota, where the Pistons cruised 109-87.
Detroit is a 3.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with the total set at 225.5.
Timberwolves vs. Pistons NBA Betting Odds
The Pistons were -5 road favourites when they faced the Timberwolves this past weekend and had no trouble covering. Each team’s star player was out – Cade Cunningham for Detroit and Anthony Edwards for Minnesota. Cunningham remains sidelined whereas Edwards may be active on Thursday, so it’s no surprise that the Pistons are only -2.5 favourites in the rematch, even at home.
Detroit is 7-1 against the spread in its last eight games and 6-1 ATS in the last seven head-to-head meetings. However, Minnesota is 3-1 ATS in its last four overall and also 3-1 ATS in its last four on the road. As for the over/under, the over is 4-1 in the Pistons’ last five contests and 4-0 in their last four at home against Minnesota. However, the under is 7-1 in the Timberwolves’ last eight overall.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Edwards missed two weeks with a knee injury before returning for Monday’s 124-94 rout of Dallas, during which he logged 23 minutes and scored 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting (2-for-3 from three-point range). The former Georgia standout is listed as questionable for Thursday because Minnesota is beginning a back-to-back situation that continues on Friday in Philadelphia. Edwards will likely play in one of the two games but not both.
Jaden McDaniels sustained a knee injury of his own last weekend, so the visitors will be at least somewhat depleted regardless of Edwards’ status. Still, they have won five of their last seven games – a stretch that features victories over Boston and Houston. Donte DiVincenzo (12.5 ppg) has scored 15 points or more in three straight games, including a 22-point effort against Detroit.
Detroit Pistons
Cunningham has not played since March 17 due to a collapsed lung. The former No. 1 overall pick will be reevaluated later this week, but there is currently no timetable for his return. Impressively, the Pistons are 6-2 straight up in Cunningham’s absence. It has obviously had a big impact on point spreads, and Detroit is a dominant 7-1 ATS during this stretch.
The Pistons’ front court is really picking up the slack. Jalen Duren averaged 22.2 ppg in March and has scored at least 30 points in two of the past three games. Paul Reed (7.5 ppg) has reached double figures in three straight contests, including 21 points in an overtime loss at Oklahoma City on Monday.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Timberwolves vs. Pistons?
The Pistons are getting no respect from the oddsmakers without Cunningham, but they continue to play like the best team in the Eastern Conference. They have lost only once at home since March 7, and that was in overtime to an absolutely on-fire Atlanta team. It’s worth monitoring Edwards’ status throughout the day, but Detroit may be in good shape regardless. Let’s go with Pistons 115, Timberwolves 111.
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