The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to the Moda Center to battle the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Here’s a Portland Trail Blazers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Portland Trail Blazers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in fine form as they’ve won four of their last six games overall, but they will be eager to bounce back in this one after having their three-game win streak snapped by the Heat in a 95-94 home loss on Sunday. Anthony Edwards led the team in scoring with 22 points, five rebounds, and six assists, Julius Randle added 17 points with six rebounds and six assists while Naz Reid chipped in with 15 points off the bench. As a team, the Timberwolves shot just 39 percent from the field and 13 of 45 from the 3-point line as they worked their way back from a 14-point deficit to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, only to their lead disappear thanks to the Heat’s Nikola Jokic who made the go-ahead basket and foul with just 7.1 seconds left on the clock.
Portland Trail Blazers
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have been in a real slump as they’ve lost five of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a three-game skid after getting blown off the floor by the Grizzlies in a 134-89 home defeat on Sunday. Jerami Grant led the team with 20 points on seven of 15 shooting, while Donovan Clingan and Dalano Banton scored 13 points each but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot a miserable 34 percent from the field and just four of 42 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start and scored just 17 points in the first quarter to fall behind by double digits and the deficit only got bigger as the game wore on. After this back-to-back set, the Blazers will play against the Hawks.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 16 games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last 12 night games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as road favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five night games at Moda Center.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last eight games against Northwest Division opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Timberwolves’ last eight night games against the Trail Blazers following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Deandre Ayton ranks 4th in the league for second-chance points (46) this season.
- Anfernee Simons ranks 10th amongst qualified players for FT% (91.7%) this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Anthony Edwards ranks 1st amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (5.4) this season.
- Naz Reid is one of only two qualified players in the league shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the free-throw line this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (20.6).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.9).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (10.8).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (80.0%).
Portland Trail Blazers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves don’t have a single player listed on the injury report, while the Trail Blazers are still shorthanded with Matisse Thybulle ruled out once again. The Trail Blazers could really do with a win to get their season on track, but they’ve been one of the coldest teams lately and just got smashed by a shorthanded Grizzlies team by 45 points. The Timberwolves were starting to get on a roll before they got beaten by the Heat in their last outing, but I fully expect them to bounce back in this one. The Timberwolves should be able to win this one comfortably to earn the win and cover on the road.