The Minnesota Timberwolves (43-33) meet the Toronto Raptors (43-32) Wednesday at the Scotiabank Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Timberwolves vs. Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Minnesota has lost 3 of its last 4 games — 1-3 against the spread (ATS) — following a 4-game winning streak (4-0 ATS). The T-Wolves were drubbed by the Celtics 134-112 Sunday in Boston as 6-point road underdogs.
Toronto has won 4 of its last 5 (3-2 ATS) including 3 straight home games versus the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday (117-104), Indiana Pacers Saturday (131-91) and Celtics Monday (115-112 in overtime).
The Raptors upset the T-Wolves 103-91 in Minnesota Feb. 16 as 1.5-point road underdogs. Toronto outperformed Minnesota in three of the “four factors” and outscored the T-Wolves 31-17 in the fourth quarter.
Timberwolves at Raptors odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:31 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Timberwolves +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Raptors -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Timberwolves +2.5 (-105) | Raptors -2.5 (-120)
- Over/Under: 228.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Timberwolves at Raptors key injuries
Timberwolves
- SG Malik Beasley (ankle) out
Raptors
- C Khem Birch (knee) questionable
[tipico]
Timberwolves at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Raptors 115, Timberwolves 109
Money line
PASS with a heavy “lean” towards the Raptors (-150) because this is at the fringe of my price range.
But, I’m confident enough in Toronto to lay the points at the moment and if we wait until closer to tip-off there could be a better price for the Raptors since money is pouring in on the Timberwolves (+122).
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Against the spread
BET the RAPTORS -2.5 (-120) for 1.25 units because this is a great spot for them and Toronto coach Nick Nurse is a defensive whiz who can make life difficult for Minnesota All-Star big Karl-Anthony Towns.
For instance, KAT is a legit center with the ball-handling and shot-making skills of a wing. But Nurse is known to employ many different defensive looks and Toronto has the length and size in the frontcourt to defend KAT anywhere on the floor.
Furthermore, the Raptors are 12-6 ATS at home versus teams with a winning record, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games versus the T-Wolves and 12-3 ATS as 1-to-2.5-point favorites.
Minnesota is 5-13-1 ATS on the road versus winning teams, 3-8 ATS as 1-to-2.5-point underdogs and 1-7 ATS in the last 8 games as road underdogs.
BET the RAPTORS -2.5 (-120).
Over/Under
PASS because my numbers say this game falls short of the total but these teams have a combined 51-26 O/U record when playing teams with a winning record. Also, the first Raptors-Timberwolves meeting went Under the total by 34.5 points so this meeting could ping pong Over the total.
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