The Raptors return to Tampa, Fla., for a one-game homestand Sunday and should have little trouble beating the awful Timberwolves, who are 9-point underdogs.
The total opened at 229.5.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
There are a handful of games each season that a playoff contender has no right losing and this would be one for the Dinos as the Timberwolves are easily the worst team in the Western Conference – although they might not be as bad as their current record if superstar Karl-Anthony Towns hadn’t missed so much time due to injury and COVID protocols.
Any team would love to have Towns, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, D’Angelo Russell and rookie Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, but the Wolves don’t have much else. It’s quite possible that Ryan Saunders is the first NBA coach fired this season.
Toronto swept last season, winning each by double digits, and hasn’t lost at “home” in the series since the 2004-05 season (16 straight victories). Towns averaged 17.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the two games. Jarrett Culver averaged 20.5 points, and Russell had 22 points in his one game. Kyle Lowry averaged 27.5 points in the two, Pascal Siakam 24.0, and Fred VanVleet 22.5.
The teams play again in the Twin Cities next Friday. The Dinos have covered the past three in the series but are 4-6 ATS in the previous 10. The over is 7-3 in those 10.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota lost its fourth in a row Friday, 120-114 in Charlotte – the Wolves have given up at least 119 points in each of a four-game skid. Towns had 25 points and eight rebounds. He’s essentially on an island on this team right now. The team’s second-best player, Russell, was out with a leg injury and will not play here. Neither, presumably, with former lottery pick Culver due to a left ankle sprain. The Wolves have covered six of their past eight overall but generally as large underdogs as they here. They lose but cover.
Toronto Raptors
We recommended betting against Toronto in Boston on Thursday as a 3.5-point underdog because the Dinos were likely to be running on fumes in the second of a back-to-back and the finale of a six-game road trip. That’s what transpired as Boston won 120-106. The Celtics never trailed and led by as many as 19. Toronto was just 9-for-28 from deep and VanVleet was a non-factor with just five points and a team-worst rating of minus-17 in his 37 minutes. Lowry (24 points), Siakam (23 points) and Chris Boucher (12 points, six rebounds, five blocks) were bright spots.
OG Anunoby missed his ninth straight game with a left calf strain but is close to playing. It may happen Sunday in Tampa, and Coach Nick Nurse has said as much. The Raptors have officially announced Tampa will be their home the entirety of this NBA season. That could be good news as Tampa is Titletown right now as the Bucs won the Super Bowl, the Lightning captured the Stanley Cup and the Rays (technically play in St. Petersburg) won the AL pennant before losing in the World Series to the Dodgers.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Timberwolves vs. Raptors?
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TIMBERWOLVES
108 -
RAPTORS
118
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 13 Feb 10:03pm | MIN | -9 -110 | O +229.5 -110 |
| Closing 14 Feb 11:53pm | MIN | -8 -110 | O +228.5 -117 |
- Regular Season
Timberwolves Team Leaders
| Points |
24.78 |
| Assists |
6.37 |
| Rebounds |
10.58 |
| FG% |
60.6 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.14 |
| Points |
21.36 |
| Assists |
7.35 |
| Rebounds |
7.58 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
| Points |
24.78 |
| Assists |
6.37 |
| Rebounds |
10.58 |
| FG% |
60.6 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.14 |
| Points |
21.36 |
| Assists |
7.35 |
| Rebounds |
7.58 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
Injuries
Juancho Hernangomez (PF)
Jarrett Culver (SG)
Karl-Anthony Towns (C)
Jaylen Nowell (SG)
Karl-Anthony Towns (C)
Josh Okogie (SG)
D'Angelo Russell (PG)
Jaylen Nowell (SG)
Malik Beasley (SG)
Ricky Rubio (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Jalen Harris (PG)
Yuta Watanabe (SG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juancho Hernangomez (PF) | Ques Tues | Quadricep - 09 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Hernangomez sat out the last game dealing with a left quad contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will take the court to face the Pistons on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Jarrett Culver (SG) | out for season | Ankle - 29 / 04 / 21 | 4-5 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Culver will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his right ankle. |
|||||
| Karl-Anthony Towns (C) | Prob Tues | Knee - 19 / 04 / 21 | 8-6 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Towns left the last contest with a knee injury, but it is likely that he will face the Kings on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Jaylen Nowell (SG) | Ques Sat | Leg - 16 / 04 / 21 | 8-7 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Nowell Nowell has missed the previous four games with a lower-leg injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up Saturday versus the Jazz. |
|||||
| Karl-Anthony Towns (C) | Ques Fri | Personal - 12 / 04 / 21 | 9-8 | 9-9 | + - |
|
Towns has missed the last two games while tending to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will be available for Friday's battle with the Heat. |
|||||
| Josh Okogie (SG) | Prob Fri | Personal - 07 / 04 / 21 | 10-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Okogie missed the last game tending to a personal matter, but it is likely that he will be available for Friday's matchup with the Celtics. |
|||||
| D'Angelo Russell (PG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 06 / 04 / 21 | 10-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Russel is tending to a knee injury, but he is projected to be in the lineup on Wednesday versus the Pacers. |
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| Jaylen Nowell (SG) | Ques Tues | Leg - 04 / 04 / 21 | 11-9 | 12-10 | + - |
|
Nowell has missed the previous four contests with a right tibia contusion, and it is unclear if he will he will face the Nets on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Malik Beasley (SG) | out for season | Hamstring - 03 / 04 / 21 | 11-10 | 12-11 | + - |
|
Beasley is sidelined with a Grade 3 left hamstring strain, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Ricky Rubio (PG) | Doub Mon | Back - 02 / 04 / 21 | 12-10 | 12-12 | + - |
|
Rubio has sat out the last two contests with back spasms, but he is expected to take on the Kings on Monday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Sun | Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Sunday's showdown with the Pacers as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Sun | Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Pacers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Friday's showdown with the Mavericks as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Mavericks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jalen Harris (PG) | Doub Fri | Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Harris is nursing a foot injury, and he is not expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Yuta Watanabe (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Watanabe was held out of the previous game with a foot injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Pacers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Fri | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Boucher missed the last game due to a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will participate in Friday's contest with the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Thursday's showdown with the Bulls as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Bulls on Thursday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Tues | Rest - 10 / 05 / 21 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Lowry will not be in the lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 13 Feb 10:03pm MIN -9 -110 O +229.5 -110 Closing 14 Feb 11:53pm MIN -8 -110 O +228.5 -117 -
- Regular Season
Timberwolves Team Leaders
Points 24.78
Assists 6.37
Rebounds 10.58
FG% 60.6
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.14
Points 21.36
Assists 7.35
Rebounds 7.58
FG% 100
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.85
-
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
Points 24.78
Assists 6.37
Rebounds 10.58
FG% 60.6
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.14
Points 21.36
Assists 7.35
Rebounds 7.58
FG% 100
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.85
-
Injuries
Juancho Hernangomez (PF)
Ques Tues Quadricep - 09 / 05 / 21Jarrett Culver (SG)
out for season Ankle - 29 / 04 / 21Karl-Anthony Towns (C)
Prob Tues Knee - 19 / 04 / 21Jaylen Nowell (SG)
Ques Sat Leg - 16 / 04 / 21Karl-Anthony Towns (C)
Ques Fri Personal - 12 / 04 / 21Josh Okogie (SG)
Prob Fri Personal - 07 / 04 / 21D'Angelo Russell (PG)
Prob Wed Knee - 06 / 04 / 21Jaylen Nowell (SG)
Ques Tues Leg - 04 / 04 / 21Malik Beasley (SG)
out for season Hamstring - 03 / 04 / 21Ricky Rubio (PG)
Doub Mon Back - 02 / 04 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Jalen Harris (PG)
Doub Fri Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Yuta Watanabe (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Fri Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Tues Rest - 10 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Juancho Hernangomez (PF) Ques Tues Quadricep - 09 / 05 / 21 2-3 1-4 + - Hernangomez sat out the last game dealing with a left quad contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will take the court to face the Pistons on Tuesday.
Jarrett Culver (SG) out for season Ankle - 29 / 04 / 21 4-5 4-5 + - Culver will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his right ankle.
Karl-Anthony Towns (C) Prob Tues Knee - 19 / 04 / 21 8-6 7-8 + - Towns left the last contest with a knee injury, but it is likely that he will face the Kings on Tuesday.
Jaylen Nowell (SG) Ques Sat Leg - 16 / 04 / 21 8-7 8-8 + - Nowell Nowell has missed the previous four games with a lower-leg injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up Saturday versus the Jazz.
Karl-Anthony Towns (C) Ques Fri Personal - 12 / 04 / 21 9-8 9-9 + - Towns has missed the last two games while tending to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will be available for Friday's battle with the Heat.
Josh Okogie (SG) Prob Fri Personal - 07 / 04 / 21 10-9 11-10 + - Okogie missed the last game tending to a personal matter, but it is likely that he will be available for Friday's matchup with the Celtics.
D'Angelo Russell (PG) Prob Wed Knee - 06 / 04 / 21 10-9 11-10 + - Russel is tending to a knee injury, but he is projected to be in the lineup on Wednesday versus the Pacers.
Jaylen Nowell (SG) Ques Tues Leg - 04 / 04 / 21 11-9 12-10 + - Nowell has missed the previous four contests with a right tibia contusion, and it is unclear if he will he will face the Nets on Tuesday.
Malik Beasley (SG) out for season Hamstring - 03 / 04 / 21 11-10 12-11 + - Beasley is sidelined with a Grade 3 left hamstring strain, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Ricky Rubio (PG) Doub Mon Back - 02 / 04 / 21 12-10 12-12 + - Rubio has sat out the last two contests with back spasms, but he is expected to take on the Kings on Monday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Sunday's showdown with the Pacers as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Pacers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Friday's showdown with the Mavericks as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Mavericks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Jalen Harris (PG) Doub Fri Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Harris is nursing a foot injury, and he is not expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Mavericks.
Yuta Watanabe (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Watanabe was held out of the previous game with a foot injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Pacers on Sunday.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Fri Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Boucher missed the last game due to a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will participate in Friday's contest with the Mavericks.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Thursday's showdown with the Bulls as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Bulls on Thursday as he will be given a day of rest.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Tues Rest - 10 / 05 / 21 1-3 1-3 + - Lowry will not be in the lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, as he will be given a day of rest.