The Toronto Raptors and the Minnesota Timberwolves do battle at the Target Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Timberwolves vs. Raptors prediction. This article will include a Timberwolves vs. Raptors pick.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Toronto Raptors have been in decent form lately, as they’ve won five of their last nine games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after getting trampled by the Knicks in a 111-95 loss on Tuesday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 31 points on 11 of 20 shooting, RJ Barrett added 20 points on nine of 13 shooting, and Immanuel Quickley tallied 13 points with 12 assists. As a team, the Raptors shot 45 percent from the field and eight of 28 from the 3-point line as they held the Knicks to just 19 points in the third quarter to work their way back into the contest after a sloppy start, but just when it looked like they would challenge for the lead, the Raptors went cold and scored just 13 points in the fourth quarter to get blown out at home. The Raptors’ bench combined for just eight points and the Knicks were allowed to shoot over 57 percent from the field for the game.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been on fire as they’ve won 12 of their last 16 games overall and they will be gunning for a fifth straight victory to take down the Grizzlies in a 117-110 win on Tuesday. Anthony Edwards led the team with 41 points and five steals on 15 of 29 shooting; Julius Randle added 23 points with 11 rebounds and four assists, while Jaden McDaniels chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 48 percent from the field and 10 of 34 from the 3-point line as they struggled to match the Grizzlies early on and trailed going into halftime, but they were able to take control with a pivotal 16-2 run in the third quarter.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Raptors have lost each of their last seven games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have won seven of their last eight games.
- The home team has covered the spread in seven of the last eight games between the Raptors and Timberwolves.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five road games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The road team has won each of the Raptors’ last seven games.
- The Timberwolves have lost seven of their last eight games against Raptors teams that held a winning record.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Raptors teams that held a winning record.
Total Points: Facts
- Six of the Timberwolves’ last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the Raptors’ last six games as underdogs following a home loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.0) this season.
- Julius Randle is one of only three players in the league to have recorded 12+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Scottie Barnes is the only player in the league to have recorded 25+ rebounds in a game this season.
- Jamal Shead ranks 8th amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (8.5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (30.0).
- The Timberwolves have used only seven different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points (1105) this season.
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points per game (18.1) this season.
Timberwolves vs Raptors Prediction
The Raptors are still missing Collin Murray-Boyles and they have Brandon Ingram listed as questionable, while the Timberwolves have ruled out Joe Ingles for this one. These two teams last met on Feb 4 and it was the Timberwolves who rallied back from an 18-point deficit to beat the Raptors by 128-126. The Timberwolves are the hotter team right now, but the Raptors will be out for revenge and I think this game will go down to the wire, so I will take any points I can get.