The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trail Blazers collide at the Moda Center on Tuesday night. Here’s a Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves prediction. This article will include a Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in great shape as they’ve won eight of their last 12 games overall, and they will be hoping to bounce back here after having their three-game win streak halted by the 76ers in a 135-108 loss on Sunday. Anthony Edwards led the team with 28 points, nine rebounds, and three assists on 11 of 19 shooting; Jaden McDaniels added 18 points while Julius Randle chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 48 percent from the field and 10 of 33 from the 3-point line as they got off to a slow start and trailed by 10 points at halftime. We kept waiting for the Timberwolves to go on a run and make their comeback, but instead the Timberwolves allowed 41 points in the fourth quarter to suffer one of their worst defeats of the season.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have been in pretty good form lately, as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall, and they will be eager to stay hot after routing the Suns in a 92-77 road win on Sunday. Jerami Grant and Donovan Clingan led the team with 23 points each, Tounami Camara added 12 points with 10 rebounds, and Scoot Henderson chipped in with 11 points and six assists off the bench. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 47 percent from the field and 10 of 37 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their effort on defense as they held the Suns in check from the start, and they were always in control after holding the Suns to just 17 points in the third quarter to open up a double-digit lead.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Trail Blazers have won eight of their last 10 games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Timberwolves have lost four of their last five games as road favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against the Trail Blazers after losing as favorites.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The favorites have won each of the Trail Blazers’ last 10 games.
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last five games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last seven night games following a home loss.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last six home games has gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Timberwolves’ last nine night games against the Trail Blazers following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Donovan Clingan ranks 1st in the league for second-chance points (242) this season.
- Scoot Henderson leads all Trail Blazers players for assists per 36 minutes (8.6) this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for points per game (29.5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (11.1).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.0).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (30.1).
- The Timberwolves have used only seven different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves could be slightly shorthanded for this contest with Naz Reid currently listed as questionable, while the Trail Blazers have ruled out Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, and Damian Lillard again. The Timberwolves enter as moderate road favorites, and that’s expected given that they’ve already beaten the Trail Blazers twice this season. The Timberwolves should also have Rudy Gobert back in the starting lineup after he served his one-game suspension, so I am sticking with the consistent Timberwolves to get a win and cover on the road in this one.