The Portland Trail Blazers (19-17) battle the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-21) Wednesday. Tip from Target Center is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Trail Blazers beat the Detroit Pistons 135-106 Monday, covering as 9.5-point home favorites. That against-the-spread (ATS) win pushed their season-long record to 22-14. Portland, however, is just 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games. Its strength is 3-point shooting efficiency, ranking 3rd in the league (38.4%).
The Timberwolves are just 15-23 ATS this season. They beat the Denver Nuggets 124-111 Monday, covering as 4.5-point home underdogs. The Wolves are 2-2 ATS in their last 4 games and 5-5 ATS in their last 10. While not a great 3-point shooting team, they rank 3rd in FG percentage (48.9%).
- Moneyline (ML): Trail Blazers -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Timberwolves +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Trail Blazers -1.5 (-110) | Timberwolves +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Trail Blazers at Timberwolves key injuries
Trail Blazers
- C Jusuf Nurkic (illness) probable
- G Gary Payton II (ankle) questionable
Timberwolves
- C Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Trail Blazers at Timberwolves picks and predictions
Prediction
Timberwolves 120, Trail Blazers 116
Moneyline
BET TIMBERWOLVES (+100).
Minnesota is coming off a double-digit win against the top team in the conference. It has a high ceiling with G Anthony Edwards and C Rudy Gobert anchoring it on both sides of the court.
The Blazers have also been in the rut recently, just 2-4 straight up and ATS in their last 6. They are 10-11 on the road while Minnesota is 10-9 at home.
The presence of Gobert should aid limiting what G Damian Lillard can do. The Wolves are solid on both sides of the court, ranking 6th in opponents’ FG percentage (46.1%) and 3rd in FG percentage.
Expect its efficiency and recent success mixed with a struggling Blazers team to help them win this battle. Back the TIMBERWOLVES (+100).
Against the spread
PASS.
Considering the value in backing the Wolves on the spread, I would rather take their even-money moneyline odds.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 233.5 (-110).
The Wolves have gone Over in 5 of their last 6 games. The Blazers put up 135 points on the Pistons Monday and have topped 120 in 2 of their last 3 games.
Portland’s top-2 scorers are shooting over 37% from deep, which is an area the Wolves may struggle to defend, sitting 27th in opponents’ 3-point FG percentage (36.9).
If the Blazers can light it up from deep, the Wolves should pick up the pace and ultimately help the OVER 233.5 (-110) be the better play.