A postseason berth seems to be a long shot for Minnesota this season. Yes, they’ve already won more games compared to last year, but their young core still needs some growing up to do before the team can finally consider themselves as playoff contenders.
Well, the best action for the Timberwolves would be to continue moving forward and try to grab all the wins they can in the remainder of their schedule. Tonight, will be another opportunity to do so against one of the beasts of the Eastern Conference: the Toronto Raptors.
[sc:NBA250 ]Can Minnesota overcome this challenge? Or will the Raptors devour them? Just read on below for a closer look at this intriguing matchup. And for more NBA action, click here to view our preview of the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks game.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Toronto Raptors Preview
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
When: Wednesday, February 24, 2016, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Minnesota Timberwolves (+9.5) at Toronto Raptors (-9.5); total: 212.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: FSN, TSN2
Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves (18-39)
[sc:NBA250 ]Karl-Anthony Towns has been living up to the expectations and the Minnesota Timberwolves have something to smile about thanks to him.
Towns put up his 32nd double-double performance of the season during Monday night’s two-point win over the visiting Celtics. In that encounter, the 2015 first overall pick finished with game-highs of 28 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 13-for-22 (.590) from the field. He will be looking to showcase his entire repertoire again when they pay the Toronto Raptors a visit tonight.
Another dominant performance from Towns could actually be in the making. The Raptors surely still remember their previous meeting with Minnesota earlier this month, wherein he exploded for 35 points and 11 boards to help Timberwolves notch the thrilling come-from-behind victory. But besides Towns, Andrew Wiggins also left a strong impression in that game with 26 points of his own.
Both Towns and Wiggins are now set to test once more a Toronto defense that is only surrendering 96.4 points, the fourth-lowest in the league today.
Speaking of defense, Towns and co. are going to have their hands full especially with guarding the likes of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, who are both averaging 20-plus points a game this season. And so, the pressure will particularly be on the Timberwolves’ perimeter defenders to stay focused and contest—without fouling—every single shot that those two take.
Minnesota, which is allowing 104.5 points per game, has lost nine of its previous 10 road games, going 4-6 ATS in that span.
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Betting on the Toronto Raptors (37-18)
Despite opening the second half of the season on the wrong foot, the Toronto Raptors have quickly turned things around and head into this bout against the Minnesota Timberwolves as winners of back-to-back games. Their latest one was versus the Knicks on Monday night, during which Toronto’s All-Star duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan mesmerized a jam-packed Madison Square Garden with sensational performances.
Lowry finally notched his first triple-double of the season, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. DeRozan, meanwhile, was not to be outdone as he scored 22 points as well and became the winningest player in franchise history. The two should be able to impose their will later opposite an inconsistent Timberwolves defense.
Other than Lowry and DeRozan, Toronto also has another reliable scoring option in Jonas Valanciunas, who is averaging 12.8 points and 9.4 rebounds on the season.
The 7-foot center from Lithuania contributed 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting and nabbed six rebounds in their win over New York. Valanciunas has also scored in double-digits in his previous eight games, including an efficient 12-point and 7-rebound output opposite Minnesota two weeks ago.
The Raptors have played well at home this season, winning 19 out of 25 games thus far. They’ve also gone 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games at the Air Canada Centre.
Writer’s Prediction
Toronto (-9.5) wins 110-99.
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