The Portland Trail Blazers (34-36) and Minnesota Timberwolves (43-27) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. The game will be broadcast live on KUNP.
The Timberwolves are 2.5-point favorites over the Blazers on the spread (Timberwolves -2.5), with the over/under set at 231.5 total points. Minnesota is a -142 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Portland is +120 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Friday, March 20.
Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves Prediction, Pick
- Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves pick: Julius Randle Over 23.5 Points (-120)
My Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves best bet is on Julius Randle to score over 23.5 points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves Odds
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -102 | 231.5 -112o / -108u | +120 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -118 | 231.5 -112o / -108u | -142 |
Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves NBA Preview
My pick for this game is Julius Randle over 23.5 points. I like the spot for him; he is just a monster on the interior for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves have ramped up his production recently, and we know Randle can be the top scoring option on a winning team.
Randle has scored 30+ points in two of his last three games.
Granted, one of those 30-point performances came without Anthony Edwards, so that changes things to a degree — but still, it is worth noting that Randle is capable of putting up numbers whenever Edwards is sidelined, even in slower-paced games.
Randle is averaging 26.4 points per game without Edwards.
Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves Predictions, Betting Analysis
Tonight, the Timberwolves draw a matchup against the Trail Blazers, who play at the seventh-fastest pace in the NBA — and that sets up well for Randle.
Another key factor is the fact that Portland fouls a ton. The Blazers send opponents to the line frequently, and Randle is excellent at generating contact.
Randle also thrives in transition, which should give him additional scoring opportunities.
So, all things considered, this prop line just feels a bit too low.
It is probably somewhat influenced by the fact that Randle only scored 21 against Utah in his latest outing — but that was a 36-point blowout in which he only played 27 minutes.
Tonight's game should be more competitive, and that likely means more minutes and more usage for Randle.
Pick: Julius Randle Over 23.5 Points (-120)
