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NBA weekly betting trends: What’s up with the Wolves?

By Jeff Glauser

Nov 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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If you asked NBA general managers what roster today, other than the Golden State Warriors, would they want over the next five years, many would say that of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

No team has more young talent, led by the past two NBA Rookies of the Year in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. In fact, according to SportsBookReview.com, before the season started NBA GMs were polled on which played they would take immediately to build a franchise around. The winner wasn’t Steph Curry, Kevin Durant or LeBron James, but Towns at 48.3 percent of the vote. Durant was second at 20.7 percent and James third at 17.2 percent.

The two franchise cornerstones have been great this season statistically. KAT is averaging 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. In last Wednesday’s loss to the New York Knicks, Towns put up a career-high 47 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. He became the third-youngest player in league history with at least 45 points and 15 rebounds in a game over the last 30 seasons. The two younger were Durant in 2008-09 and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal in 1992-93.

Towns has seven 25-point, 15-rebound games since he entered the league last season. Only DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis have more during that time. There is also something else the three have in common: They all played at Kentucky.

Meanwhile, Wiggins has blossomed as a scorer in his third season, averaging a team and career-best 22.8 points. Throw in third-year guard and human highlight reel Zach Levine and his 19.8 points per game and that’s one hell of a nucleus.

Unfortunately, it has resulted in a record of just 6-14 thus far.

Next: 5 trades the Minnesota Timberwolves should make

So with two such good players, why are the Timberwolves just 6-14 entering this week and the worst Against The Spread team in the NBA (also at 6-14)?

One reason certainly would be defense. Minnesota hired former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau as the president of basketball operations and head coach this past offseason and Thibs is known for his defensive genius. But the young guys haven’t picked it up well yet and allow105.6 points per game, and are 1-13 when allowing opponents to shot 45 percent or better form the field.

It won’t get any easier this week for the Wolves, with matchups against the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons, the former two they will go into as heavy betting underdogs. The Wolves have dropped seven in a row to the Spurs and 12 straight to the Raptors.

Thibs will get this team corrected eventually, but the odds are that it might already be too late for a playoff spot this year. However, bettors can still benefit once they finally turn a corner.

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