The Minnesota TImberwolves still have a shot at climbing out of the NBA Play-In Tournament, but they'll need some help along the way.
Minnesota trails both the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz by two games in the West for the top 5-6 seeds, but hold a six game lead over the L.A. Clippers to at least host the play-in.
With the Play-In Round beginning April 12, they'll need to guarantee themselves a win on the road vs. the last place Houston Rockets tonight.
Bruh the Timberwolves are:
— Esfandiar | Darth Es (@JustEsBaraheni) April 2, 2022
- 6 games ahead of the Clippers
- 9.5 games ahead of the 9th seed Pelicans
- 12.5 game ahead of the 10th seed
and STILL having to compete in the play-in. They gotta create some threshold for that like the bubble. Feel like that’s unfair.
The Timberwolves are massive favorites, but we've got a total up in the 240's! Let's get some offensive fireworks going and dive into the full list of odds for this evening's matchup over at WynnBET Sportsbook:
Timberwolves vs. Rockets Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Timberwolves -13.5 (-110)
- Rockets +13.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Timberwolves -1100
- Rockets +700
Total:
- 242.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)
Timberwolves vs. Rockets Prediction and Pick
The Timberwolves, as evidenced below, have not just been one of the more compelling stories in the league this year, they've also covered more than 55% of their games.
Top NBA teams ATS:
— BetSided (@BetSided) April 3, 2022
1) MEM 51-27 (65.4%)
2) OKC 46-27-4 (63%)
3) TOR 44-32-1 (57.9%)
4) DAL 44-33-1 (57.1%)
5) DET 43-33-2 (56.6%)
6) MIA 43-34-1 (55.8%)
T7) CHA 42-34-2 (55.3%)
T7) MIN 42-34-2 (55.3%)
9) PHO 42-35 (54.6%)
10) CLE 40-34-4 (54.1%)
Back on January 28, they were just 24-25 on the year, but have since gone 20-9 straight-up since, as well as 18-11 against the spread.
It's still 13.5 points to cover, and that's something I want no part of.
Instead, I'll focus on the under at 242.5. The Rockets won't have Christian Wood available, and three of their top five scorers are out as well. Even if the Timberwolves build up a comfortable lead against Houston's second-worst defensive rating, they'll likely call off the dogs early to get their guys some rest heading down the stretch.
Via Sportsbook Wire, Houston is just 3-6 in OVERs during its last nine games despite hitting the over in just under 55% of their games this year. The Timberwolves will show mercy late in this one, causing the under to remain in play.
LEAN: UNDER 242.5 (-110)
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