Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Predictions, Starting Lineups (2/15/24)
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who are in the last game of a five-game road trip, look to improve to a 4-1 record in that span with a second-straight win against Portland. Can the T-Wolves continue to separate themselves in a top-heavy Western Conference? Find our Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trail Blazers matchup preview below, featuring our game prediction and best betting picks!
Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
The Timberwolves and Trail Blazers faced off just two nights ago, and the result was about what you would expect: Minnesota won by double-digits. Anthony Edwards and company have been on a tear recently, winning three consecutive road games against Portland, Los Angeles (Clippers), and Milwaukee. All of those wins came by double-digits, too.
In that span, the Wolves rank third in average scoring margin, third in points per game, fourth in team effective field goal percentage, fourth in three-point percentage, 12th in total rebounding rate, eighth in defensive efficiency (despite playing against the Bucks and Clippers, two of the best offenses in the NBA), and fifth in opponent effective field goal percentage.
Meanwhile, Portland has dropped five consecutive games and still misses several key players, including Robert Williams III, Shaedon Sharpe, and Malcolm Brogdon. Even Scoot Henderson is listed as questionable, so his availability is up in the air. Portland shot well in the last matchup on Tuesday night (45/38/80 team shooting split), but the Blazers are a poor shooting team, especially without Brogdon. Expect some negative regression against one of the league’s premier defenses tonight.
Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves -9.5 (-110)
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Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Best Odds
After beating the Portland Trail Blazers in the same exact situation on Tuesday night by 12 points, the Minnesota Timberwolves enter this matchup as 9.5-point favorites. Portland has Moneyline odds of +370 to pull off the upset on its home floor, while the Timberwolves are -485 to secure another road win against this Blazers squad. The point total for this game rests at 216 points, with the Under (-115) holding a slight advantage over the Over (-105.)
Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineup
PG: Mike Conley Jr.
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Jaden McDaniels
PF: Karl Anthony-Towns
C: Rudy Gobert
Portland Trail Blazers Starting Lineup
PG: Anfernee Simons
SG: Matisse Thybulle
SF: Jerami Grant
PF: Toumani Camara
C: Deandre Ayton
Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Injuries
The Minnesota Timberwolves injury report will be important to watch ahead of Thursday night’s tip-off against Portland, as Anthony Edwards (knee) is listed as day-to-day; he participated in the team’s shootaround, but that does not guarantee that he will play. Further, Wendell Moore Jr. (knee) is questionable for tonight’s game, while Jaylen Clark (Achilles) is still out for the foreseeable future.
Conversely, the Portland Trail Blazers are much more injury-riddled than Minnesota, as six players are listed on the injury report. Robert Williams III (knee), Shaedon Sharpe (abdomen), Malcolm Brogdon (elbow, Moses Brown (shoulder), and Rayan Rupert (ankle sprain) are all listed as out for this Western Conference matchup, while Scoot Henderson is questionable for the game due to a foot sprain.
