The Minnesota Timberwolves (35-23) and Portland Trail Blazers (28-30) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The game will broadcast live on Peacock.
The Timberwolves are 6.5-point favorites over the Blazers on the spread (Timberwolves -6.5), with the over/under set at 236.5 total points. Minnesota is a -265 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Portland is +215 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Timberwolves vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, February 24.
Timberwolves vs Trail Blazers Prediction
- Timberwolves vs Trail Blazers pick: Under 236.5 (-112)
My Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves best bet is under 236.5 total points in this game. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Timberwolves vs Trail Blazers Odds
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -118 | 236.5 -108o / -112u | -265 |
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -102 | 236.5 -108o / -112u | +215 |
Timberwolves vs Trail Blazers NBA Preview
On Friday night, Minnesota was a double-digit favorite at home against Dallas. They took a 12-point lead into halftime but did not cover, as they let the Mavericks hang around without Cooper Flagg.
Then, on Sunday, the Timberwolves were blown out at home by a 76ers team that had been floundering without Joel Embiid.
The ceiling for the Timberwolves is high, as they are top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating, but they are inconsistent, as shown over the past two games. However, Anthony Edwards is one player who has shown up consistently for them.
Edwards has scored 20 points in 19 of his past 20 games. In that span, he is averaging 29.9 points per game, a tick above his season average.
He enters this matchup as the league's third-leading scorer, and he went for 41 points in his last trip to Portland.
In the last meeting, it was Julius Randle's turn for 40, scoring 23 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter.
The Trail Blazers had five players in double figures as Jrue Holiday led the way with 23 points. However, it was not enough as they fell 133-109 in Minnesota.
First-time All-Star Deni Avdija was held to 11 points on 3-for-11 from the field. Tonight, they will not have him at all after he left Sunday's game in Phoenix with a back injury.
That means Portland will be without its two leading scorers as Shaedon Sharpe has been out since early February. That does not bode well for tonight's matchup.
Minnesota has won eight of the last 10 meetings, so Portland may look to Donovan Clingan to step up tonight. The second-year center had 23 points and 13 rebounds after Avdija left Sunday's game.
Clingan is averaging 16.3 points and 12.5 rebounds over his past eight games. However, it will be interesting to see him battle Rudy Gobert down low tonight.
Timberwolves vs Trail Blazers Predictions, Betting Analysis
Under 236.5
If you look solely at the trends, the over might be an auto bet for tonight's game.
The over is 8-2 in Portland's last 10 games, 7-3 in Minnesota's last 10 games, and 7-3 in the last 10 meetings. However, just one of the last 10 meetings has had 237 points, albeit the last one — 13 days ago.
Considering who is and is not available, tonight's total may be too high.
As mentioned, Portland will be without Avdija and Sharpe as well as Caleb Love, who is streaky but has eight 20-point games off the bench in his own right.
Portland's offensive rating is nine points worse without Avdija, but its defensive rating improves by nearly eight points. They have scored 103 and 92 points in their last two games without him.
Naz Reid is questionable tonight, and he's Minnesota's primary scorer off the bench. That may lead to more minutes for Rudy Gobert.
Minnesota's defense is nine points worse without Gobert on the floor, and that played a factor in them giving up 135 points on Sunday. Considering these factors, I see this game finishing with fewer than 237 points.
A few players I like to shine tonight are Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Clingan.
Anthony Edwards 25+ Points
Edwards is averaging 28.8 points in his last eight games against Portland. He scored 25 points in five of those games, including 30 points in four of them.
Jaden McDaniels 12+ Points
Jaden McDaniels has scored 17 points in four of his last five games against Portland, with 30, 18 and 21 in the last three meetings. He has scored 12 points in seven of his last 10 games overall, averaging 16.2 points in that span.
Donovan Clingan 2+ Three-Pointers Made
Clingan's scoring uptick has coincided with more volume from the perimeter. He has made two 3s in six of his last eight games, and in both games against Minnesota this season.
Against centers, Minnesota is 23rd in 3-pointers allowed and 26th in 3-point percentage defense. That makes sense with Gobert in, as he is fine with sacrificing a couple of 3s in order to protect the rim.
Timberwolves vs. Trail Blazers Best Bet
- Under 236.5 (-112, DraftKings)
Timberwolves vs. Trail Blazers Parlay Picks
- Anthony Edwards 25+ Points
- Jaden McDaniels 12+ Points
- Donovan Clingan 2+ Three-Pointers Made
Parlay Odds: +385 via DraftKings
Spread
I'm not taking either side of the spread.
Moneyline
I have no interest in the moneyline here.
Over/Under
My Timberwolves vs. Trail Blazers betting prediction is under 236.5 total points at -112.
Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves Betting Trends
