Timberwolves vs. Raptors Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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Charlie Grant
The T-Wolves have shaken up their roster and shed an ugly 13-game losing streak. Now they go to Toronto to face a Raptors side on its longest win streak in franchise history. Will the new combo of D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns be enough to keep Minnesota within striking distance on Monday?
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Timberwolves traded away their second-leading scorer and then won their first game since January 9th. Minnesota downed the Los Angeles Clippers 142-115 as a 10-point home underdog – even though D’Angelo Russell wasn’t in uniform yet.
The T-Wolves are among the worst teams in the NBA this season at 16-35 and are likely to miss the playoffs for the 16th time in the last 17 years. The win on Monday was franchise centre Karl-Anthony Towns’ first as an active player on the team since late November. He missed 15 games due to injury earlier this season.
Minnesota is 9-23-1 against the spread in its last 33 games and 1-5 ATS in its last six road contests. The Wolves are also 9-21 in their last 30 games against the Raptors.
Speaking of the Dinos, things continue to work out on the court despite mounting injury issues. Toronto beat the Brooklyn Nets 119-118 on Saturday night but failed to cover as a 6.5-point home fave.
The Raptors are 13-0 straight up in their last 13 outings and they’re 5-0 ATS in their last five games coming off a failed cover. Toronto remains 1.5 games up on Boston for the second seed in the Eastern Conference thanks to their 39-14 record.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Andrew Wiggins is no longer part of the plan in Minnesota. The T-Wolves ditched their former franchise forward and a loosely protected future first round draft pick for former All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell.
Towns is close with Russell and NBA insiders suggest the trade was made to appease the big man. The duo are both exceptional offensive players, but both are liabilities at the defensive end of the floor.
Russell is expected to make his debut for the T-Wolves on Monday night.
Toronto Raptors
It’s unclear game-to-game which players will be available for head coach Nick Nurse. Just last month the Raptors welcomed Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and Marc Gasol back after prolonged absences due to injuries.
Now Powell and Gasol find themselves back taking up real estate in the trainers’ room and not the bench. Kyle Lowry missed the Nets game because of a sore neck. He’s listed as questionable to play on Monday against the Timberwolves.