Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction, NBA Odds
The Toronto Raptors play the front end of a back-to-back on Wednesday but also their last game before the trade deadline when they host the Western Conference-contending Minnesota Timberwolves, who are -2.5 on the NBA odds with a total of 224.5.
Timberwolves vs. Raptors NBA Betting Odds
This is the last game for both teams ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, and both have actually been linked to Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on the chance he’s dealt. Perhaps not a great chance considering the former MVP is out several weeks with a calf injury, but reports are if moved he prefers the Knicks or Timberwolves.
We doubt Minnesota gets Giannis because the Wolves are deep into the salary cap. They probably aren’t good enough to win the West as currently constructed but may win a round or two in the Western Conference playoffs led by superstar Anthony Edwards. The former No. 1 overall pick is third in the NBA in scoring at 29.7 PPG.
It remains to be seen if the Dinos take a big swing near the deadline like they did last year in landing Brandon Ingram from New Orleans. Maybe a centre for depth because of Jakob Poeltl’s long-term injury absence. He has been out since Dec. 21 with a back injury and not apparently close to returning.
Wednesday is the first meeting of the season between the clubs with the Raptors visiting the Twin Cities on March 5. They split last year, and Toronto has taken the past four at home in the series. Edwards averaged 25.0 PPG in the two for Minnesota and former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert 14.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks.
Toronto is 6-4 SU and 7-3 ATS in the past 10 meetings overall, while the over-under is 3-7.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Thanks largely to four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert patrolling the middle, the Wolves usually are one of the better defensive clubs in the NBA, but they were torched in a 137-128 loss in Memphis on Monday to see a four-game winning streak snapped. Minnesota didn’t allow more than 114 points in of those four as an example. When allowing fewer than 110 points this season, the Timberwolves are 16-1.
The team’s two leading scorers in All-Star Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle were both iffy Monday but played. Edwards had 39 points, his fifth time with at least 30 in his past eight. Thanks in large part to him, the team is averaging a franchise-record 119.5 points per game, which is fourth in the league.
Minnesota has made at least 10 three-pointers in 31 consecutive road games dating back to last season. That’s the second-longest active streak in the NBA and the 11th-longest in history. The team is healthy but if someone is ruled out Wednesday, it could be for trade reasons. The Timberwolves have just one victory in their past 20 as the road team in this series.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto started a five-game homestand Sunday by snapping a two-game overall skid and three-game home slide with a 107-100 win over a bad Utah team. That was the Raptors’ 30th win of the season, coming in game No. 51. Last year, they finished with 30 total victories.
RJ Barrett topped the team with 21 points, leading Raptors scorers for the 13th time this season and his 67th career game with at least 20 as a Raptor. That passed current Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie for 13th on the all-time list in franchise history.
Sandro Mamukelashvili led Raptors reserves with 20 points, his team-best 17th time leading the bench in scoring. The Dinos got a scare when Scottie Barnes, named to his second All-Star Game, had to leave briefly with a foot/ankle injury, but he returned.
Incidentally, Toronto head coach Darko Rajaković will coach the international team at the All-Star Game on Feb. 15 as part of the new format. Centre Jakob Poeltl , who has played just seven has played just seven minutes since Dec. 15 due to injury, was cleared for contact and participated in live two-on-two action against development coaches Tuesday but still is a ways off. The Raptors are 1-4 ATS in their past five at home.
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