Toronto Raptors vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (1/19/23)
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The Toronto Raptors are visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves in a clash of teams that should be in the postseason down the line. The Raptors are coming off a loss on the road to the Bucks, while the Timberwolves are coming off a home loss to the Jazz. This should be an interesting matchup because both teams need to rebound from losses. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!
Toronto Raptors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds
The Toronto Raptors are 2.5-point favorites against the Minnesota Timberwolves and are at -140 on the money line. There’s also no over/under listed just yet. The Raptors being favored makes sense because they have more to like right now than the Timberwolves as a team. Expect the over/under to be decently high because each team can score, but each team also plays defense well too. This spread could move based around who is able to play for Minnesota because they are banged up right now.
Toronto Raptors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
The pick: Toronto Raptors -2.5
The Raptors have been inconsistent this year, but they have a lot of potential if they manage to string it together. Pascal Siakam has been their do-it-all player and he’s also very versatile too. Siakam leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. are the key pieces in a decent backcourt for the Raptors. They are right behind Siakam in scoring too. OG Anunoby has also been very good for the Raptors too and could be a key piece in trade discussions.
As a team, they excell more on the defensive side of the court than on offense. They are top-10 in points allowed and in blocks per game. On the other side, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a lot of potential but also haven’t been able to put it all together just yet.
Anthony Edwards is a star for them on offense and defense. He leads the team in scoring and steals too. D’Angelo Russell will have to step up more too in the backcourt after both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert will be out for this game. He also leads the team in assists too. Jaylen Nowell and Jaden McDaniels need to step up more too without Towns and Gobert too.
As a team, the Timberwolves excel more on offense than defense. They are third in the NBA in field goal percentage at 49.% and are 12th in scoring. They are decent with blocks on defense and are ranked 7th.
The Raptors are the better play here because they’re just more healthy right now. It could be difficult because it’s a road game, but the Raptors are the better play and should win in this spot over Minnesota.
Betting Trends
Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Timberwolves are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Key Matchups
Can Naz Reid matchup with Pascal Siakam? Can Gary Trent Jr. matchup with Anthony Edwards?
Pascal Siakam vs. Naz Reid
Pascal Siakam has been perfect for the Raptors as a do-it-all player. He averages 26 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll matched up against Naz Reid for some of the game, who averages 11 points, 1 assist, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. Siakam is a better overall player than Reid, but Reid is solid on defense. This is a big matchup because of what Siakam can do across the board on offense and defense as compared to what Reid can do.
Anthony Edwards vs. Gary Trent Jr.
Anthony Edwards is already Minnesota’s best player. He averages 24 points, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Gary Trent Jr. most of the game who averages 19 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds per game for the season. Anthony Edwards is the better player, so Gary Trent Jr. has his hands full. This should be a huge matchup for who wins this game because most of Minnesota’s offense is going to be coming from Edwards, regardless of the matchup.
Toronto Raptors Starting Lineup
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: OG Anunoby
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Pascal Siakam
Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineups
PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Kyle Anderson
PF: Jaden McDaniels
C: Naz Reid
Key Injuries
Toronto Raptors Injuries: PG Dalano Banton (Hip) O, SF Otto Porter Jr. (Foot) O
Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries: PF Karl-Anthony Towns (Calf) O, C Rudy Gobert (Groin) O
