The Toronto Raptors continue a three-game homestand Wednesday night by welcoming Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves to Scotiabank Arena for the lone time this season.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

We assume that Butler will be playing Wednesday for Minnesota. The All-Star has made no secret that he wants a trade from the Timberwolves. Most believe that Butler is miffed at the perceived lack of effort given on a nightly basis by Towns and the Canadian Wiggins, who has regressed since signing a huge extension before last season. Towns got his big deal before this season – now Butler wants his max money, just from some other team.

Wolves coach/president Tom Thibodeau supposedly had a deal with the Miami Heat on the eve of the season but then went back and asked for more, and Heat president Pat Riley told Thibs to get lost. If the Wolves continue to struggle, Thibs is going to have to deal Butler or it will torpedo the entire season (home fans already are booing Butler). He just is going to have to accept pennies on the dollar.

Minnesota has won the past three at home in this series but has dropped 14 straight games in Toronto. It was 109-104 last season. DeMar DeRozan had 23 points to lead Toronto and Jonas Valanciunas 18 points and 11 rebounds. Butler had 25 to lead the Wolves. Wiggins, from Thornhill, Ontario, was 7-for-22 for 15 points. Towns had just 11 points.

The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves are a good offensive team, averaging 119.0 points per game, but they are lousy on defence – which is Thibodeau’s calling card – in surrendering 116.5 points. They do come off easily their best defensive effort of the year Monday in a 101-91 win over visiting Indiana. Towns had 17 points and a season-high 14 rebounds, while Butler had 20 points. Wiggins left in the first quarter with a thigh injury, but he says it’s nothing major and he plans to play Wednesday – you know playing in Toronto is important to the former No. 1 overall pick. Wiggins has been incredibly durable in his career. Minnesota is 3-7 ATS in its past 10 after a win.

Toronto Raptors

Way too early to make any declarations, but the Raptors look like the Eastern Conference’s best team at 4-0 with an East-best point differential of plus-12.2. They blew out visiting Charlotte on Monday 127-106 – some of the announcers on NBA TV were joking that the Hornets clearly spent too much time in Miami over the weekend (i.e. partying on South Beach after Saturday’s game vs. the Heat). Kawhi Leonard returned from sitting Saturday in Washington (rest) with 22 points. Jonas Valanciunas came off the bench and missed just one of his eight shots to finish with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Kyle Lowry had 16 points and a season-high 14 assists for his second straight double-double. The Raptors only shot 38.5 per cent but held the Hornets to 32.1. Toronto is one of the few teams playing defence in the early going.

Injuries

Minnesota

Jerryd Bayless (PG)

Out Wed Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19

Taj Gibson (PF)

Out indefinitely Calf - 19 / 03 / 19

Derrick Rose (PG)

out for season Elbow - 12 / 03 / 19

Jeff Teague (PG)

out for season Foot - 12 / 03 / 19

Andrew Wiggins (SF)

Prob Thurs Quadricep - 09 / 03 / 19

Luol Deng (SF)

Out indefinitely Achilles - 27 / 02 / 19

Jeff Teague (PG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 25 / 02 / 19

Gorgui Dieng (C)

Out indefinitely Personal - 21 / 02 / 19

Derrick Rose (PG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 02 / 19

Andrew Wiggins (SF)

Prob Fri Illness - 11 / 02 / 19

Toronto

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19

Patrick McCaw (SG)

Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19

Pascal Siakam (PF)

Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19

Jeremy Lin (PG)

Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19

Chris Boucher (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19

Chris Boucher (PF)

Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19

Serge Ibaka (C)

Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19

Patrick McCaw (SG)

Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19

Injuries

Minnesota

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jerryd Bayless (PG)	Out Wed	Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19	2-1	2-1	+ -
Bayless has been absent from the lineup during the past two games due to a right ankle contusion and will not suit up Wednesday against the Nuggets.
Taj Gibson (PF)	Out indefinitely	Calf - 19 / 03 / 19	5-7	5-7	+ -
Gibson suffered a left calf strain and there is no timetable for return.
Derrick Rose (PG)	out for season	Elbow - 12 / 03 / 19	6-9	6-9	+ -
Rose has been shut down for the remainder of the season due to a chip fracture and loose body in his right elbow.
Jeff Teague (PG)	out for season	Foot - 12 / 03 / 19	6-9	6-9	+ -
Teague is nursing inflammation in his left foot and will not return for the remainder of the season.
Andrew Wiggins (SF)	Prob Thurs	Quadricep - 09 / 03 / 19	6-11	8-9	+ -
Wiggins has been held out of the past three games with a left quadriceps contusion but it is not expected to impede his status for Thursday's matchup against the Jazz.
Luol Deng (SF)	Out indefinitely	Achilles - 27 / 02 / 19	8-14	12-10	+ -
Deng has been held out of action due to a sore left Achilles and it has yet to be determined how long the ailment will keep him idle.
Jeff Teague (PG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 25 / 02 / 19	9-14	13-10	+ -
Teague has sat out the past two games with a sore left knee but is likely to be available for Thursday's matchup versus the Pacers.
Gorgui Dieng (C)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 21 / 02 / 19	11-14	14-11	+ -
Dieng has been away from the team due to a personal matter and it is unclear when he will rejoin the lineup.
Derrick Rose (PG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 12 / 02 / 19	13-14	16-11	+ -
Rose is expected to suit up against the Rockets on Wednesday despite right ankle soreness.
Andrew Wiggins (SF)	Prob Fri	Illness - 11 / 02 / 19	13-14	16-11	+ -
Wiggins has been held out of the past two games due to an illness but is expected to return Friday against the Knicks.

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Prob Mon	Face - 08 / 06 / 19	2-0	1-2	+ -
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG)	Prob Thurs	Personal - 15 / 05 / 19	7-4	6-6	+ -
McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF)	Prob Sun	Calf - 04 / 05 / 19	9-6	8-8	+ -
Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG)	Prob Tues	Back - 02 / 05 / 19	9-7	8-9	+ -
Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 01 / 05 / 19	9-7	8-9	+ -
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF)	Ques Mon	Back - 18 / 04 / 19	13-8	9-13	+ -
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 09 / 04 / 19	15-9	10-15	+ -
Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19	15-10	10-15-1	+ -
Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Wed	Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19	18-10	12-16-1	+ -
Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG)	Prob Fri	Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19	19-10	12-17-1	+ -
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.

Timberwolves vs. Raptors Prediction