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The Minnesota Timberwolves (43-19) take on the Indiana Pacers (35-28) Thursday. Tip-off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Timberwolves vs. Pistons odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Minnesota leads 1-0 with a 127-109 home win Dec. 16, while covering as a 10.5-point favorite with the Under (238) hitting
Minnesota came away with a 119-114 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Monday, failing to cover as a 15-point home favorite. The Timberwolves shot 50.6% from the field, and C Rudy Gobert (25 points, 16 rebounds) led 6 double-figure scorers for the T-wolves. The win ended a 2-game losing streak for the Wolves, who are 4-2 in their last 6 games and 8-3 in their last 11.
Indiana routed the Dallas Mavericks 137-120 Tuesday, pulling off the upset as a 5.5-point road underdog. Indiana shot 53.8% (50-for-93) from the field and 46.2% (18-for-39) from deep. C Myles Turner’s 20 points led 9 Pacers in double figures. The Pacers ended a streak of back-to-back losses with Monday’s win — they are 5-3 in their last 8 games.
Timberwolves at Pacers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Timberwolves +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Pacers -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Timberwolves +1.5 (-110) | Pacers -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Timberwolves at Pacers key injuries
Timberwolves
- F Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) out
Pacers
- G/F Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Timberwolves at Pacers picks and predictions
Prediction
Timberwolves 115, Pacers 113
Moneyline
I like the Timberwolves (+102) to pick up the win as slight underdogs, but I’ll PASS on a ML play and take the insurance of 1½ points with the spread (see below). Plus, I’m not a fan of doubling down — betting the same team’s ML and spread.
However, I wouldn’t frown upon a Minnesota (+102) ML bet, but I wouldn’t wager more than 1½ units between the ML and spread bets.
Against the spread
LEAN TIMBERWOLVES +1.5 (-110).
Minnesota has covered the spread in each of its last 4 matchups vs. the Pacers with 2 of those games being at Indiana. The Timberwolves have also covered the spread in each of their last 4 road games.
Plus, the Timberwolves have been the hotter team straight up lately and have dominated on the road this season and in recent overall matchups vs. Indiana. Minnesota has won 5 straight vs. Indiana, is 8-3 in its last 10 games overall (as mentioned), and is 20-11 on the road this season.
This is only a lean because Minnesota has been bad ATS lately and because the Pacers have been the slightly better ATS team this season.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 229 (-108).
The Under has hit in 3 of Indiana’s last 4 games and is 7-3 in its last 10 games.
For Minnesota, the Under is 32-30 on the season. The Under has also hit in 3 consecutive Minnesota-Indiana matchups and is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
This is only a lean because the Over has been safer for the Timberwolves lately.
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