| Game Time | 7:30 pm EST |
| Minnesota Timberwolves Line | -6.5 |
| Toronto Raptors Line | +6.5 |
| Total | 225.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Two teams coming off wins face off in this matchup, as the Toronto Raptors are hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Raptors have been surprisingly one of the worst teams in the NBA this season, but that is mostly because to injuries. On the other hand, the Timberwolves, in the season following the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, are having their ups and downs and struggling to find stability, as they jump from winning streak to losing streak.
Below is a detailed analysis for Minnesota Timberwolves vs Toronto Raptors game.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Toronto Raptors Prediction
Toronto Raptors Injury Report: J. Walter, Kelly Olynyk and Bruno Fernando are day-to-day, Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes, Bruce Brown are out.
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report: No injuries to report
Toronto Raptors Recent Form and Trends
The Raptors have a 3-12 record this season and are sitting on the 13th place of the East. Toronto is 10-5 against the spread and 9-6 in over/under. The Raptors have a 3-4 home record but 5-2 against the spread, with a -2.9-point differential. The Raptors are 1-7 in their last 8 games. Under is 5-2 in their last 7 games.
The Raptors are coming off a 130-119 win over Indiana, having by far their best shooting game of the season, making 59% from the field and 48% from downtown. RJ Barrett and Jacob Poeltl led Toronto’s offense with 39 and 30 points respectively, adding 9 and 15 rebounds each.
RJ Barrett leads the Raptors in scoring, with an average of 23.2 points, adding 6.4 rebounds and a team-high 6.5 assists, while Scottie Barnes adds 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6 assists but he is out with an injury.
Minnesota Timberwolves Recent Form and Trends
The Timberwolves have an 8-6 record this season and are sitting on the 7th place of the West. The Wolves are 5-9 against the spread and 9-5 in over/under. Minnesota has a 3-4 road record, and 3-4 against the spread, with a -2.4-point differential. The Wolves are 5-3 in their last 8 games and over is 7-3 in their last 10.
The Timberwolves are coming off a 120-117 win over Phoenix, shooting with 52% from the field, but allowing the Suns to shoot even better, with 54%. Julius Randle led Minnesota’s offense with 35 points with 5 triples, adding 4 rebounds and a team-high 7 assists.
Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves both in scoring with 28.1 points, adding 5.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Julius Randle adds 21.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game with his new team.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Raptors rank 16th in the NBA, with 113.4 points per game. They shoot 46.3% from the field (13th) and 34% from beyond the arc (23rd). Defensively, they rank just 27th in the league, allowing 119.5 points per game. Toronto is 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.5, are just 27th in defensive rating with 117.2.
Offensively, the Wolves average 113.9 points per game, which is 14th in the league. They shoot 47.6% from the field (8th) and with 38.2% from beyond the arc (6th). Defensively, they allow 111.1 points per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. Minnesota is 9th in offensive rating in the NBA with 114.5, and are 12th in defensive rating with 111.7.
In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Wolves won at home, 112-101. The Raptors are 6-4 in their last 10 meetings, and 6-2 against the spread in their last 8 meetings. Under is 6-3 in their last 9 meetings.
Prediction
In this Minnesota Timberwolves vs Toronto Raptors Prediction, the Wolves are coming as -6.5 road favorites. While the Raptors have been losing a ton of games, they have been one of the most efficient covering teams in the NBA, and the Wolves don’t actually provide a big threat on the road with just 3-4 against the spread and a minus point differential. The books continue to overlook the Raptors’ ability to cover spread and we are getting a good price for a home dog. I fully expect the hosts to keep this one relatively close, so take the Toronto Raptors and lay the plus points at home.
Nick’s Pick: Toronto Raptors +6.5