Following several close losses, the Toronto Raptors’ hard work finally paid off with a win over the Indiana Pacers last time out.
RJ Barrett was a big part of that win, and he’ll need another big game if the Raps want to have a shot against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight.
My Timberwolves vs. Raptors predictions explain why Barrett will be cleaning the glass all night long. Here are my NBA picks for Thursday, November 21.
Raptors vs Timberwolves prediction
My Raptors pick
RJ Barrett 8+ rebounds (+140 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
This season will be full of growing pains for a rebuilding Toronto Raptors squad. However, you can already tell this team is starting to improve.
For starters, this young group appears to be buying into head coach Darko Rajakovic’s offensive system, which is predicated on a high-tempo and ball movement. Two players who seem to have benefited the most in this system are sophomore Gradey Dick and RJ Barrett. Today, I want to focus on Barrett.
The Raptors wing (who is still just 24 years old) never quite lived up to his hype in New York, but he appears to be flourishing in Toronto and has taken a leap in his development. Barrett enters this matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves averaging 23.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game this season.
Barrett has also busted out a mini-slump, putting up 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists in an overtime loss to the Celtics and followed that up with 39 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the win over the Indiana Pacers.
Now, the T-Wolves are still a strong defensive team, but they have somewhat surprisingly had some issues cleaning the glass. Minnesota ranks 20th in rebounding rate and 15th in opponent offensive rebounds per game despite Rudy Gobert guarding the paint.
Barrett didn’t play in the Raptors' last matchup against the Timberwolves, but they still outworked them on the boards 44-41, and another big Raps’ wing/guard Scottie Barnes hauled down eight boards in that game.
Barrett’s rebounding prop is sitting at 6.5, but the Over is seeing a little too much juice for my liking. Instead, I’m targeting his alternate rebounds at 8+ at nice plus money. Barrett is averaging 7.8 rebounds per game and has gone Over this number in each of his last two games.
Raptors vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
RJ Barrett 8+ rebounds
Jakob Poeltl 10+ rebounds
Julius Randle 20+ points
Let’s keep fading the Timberwolves on the glass in this matchup. Raptors’ center Jakob Poeltl has also been a beast on the boards this season averaging 11.9 rebounds per game and he’s taken that to the next level recently, hauling down 19, 12, and 16 rebounds in each of his last three games.
The matchup against Rudy Gobert should mean plenty of minutes and opportunities to clean the glass in this matchup. Poeltl grabbed 10 boards in the previous meeting against the Timberwolves, so let’s add 10+ rebounds for him to this same-game parlay.
Let’s close this SGP out with Julius Randle to hit the 20-point plateau. Randle is in a groove, averaging 27 points per game over his last three games, getting at least 20 in all three. The Raptors' defense is still a work in progress, ranking 26th in defensive rating.
Randle also draws more shooting fouls than anyone on the T-Wolves and the Raptors rank dead-last in the NBA in opponent free throw attempts per game.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Timberwolves odds
Raptors vs Timberwolves live odds
Raptors vs Timberwolves opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +7 | Minnesota -7
- Moneyline: Toronto +235 | Minnesota -290
- Over/Under: Over 225 | Under 225
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Timberwolves spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread has bounced around a bit since opening at Raptors +7. It dropped to 6.5 but the T-Wolves have seen the majority of the action and the line is now Raptors +7.5.
- The Raptors have bounced back from their offensive slump, covering their last two games, and are a solid 9-5 ATS this season. Meanwhile, the T-Wolves are 5-9 ATS this season. The Raptors covered a 14.5-point spread when these two met in Minnesota back on October 26.
- The total has also seen a fair bit of movement. It opened at 225, reached as high as 227.5, and is back down to 225.5 as of early Thursday afternoon.
- If the Raptors offense doesn't hit another slump again, I would lean toward this one going Over at this current number. Toronto's combination of high-tempo offense and poor defense makes them a solid Over candidate most nights, while Minnesota is 9-5 O/U for the season.
Raptors vs Timberwolves trend
The Raptors have hit the Over in 11 of their last 12 games at home for +9.90 Units and a 75% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Raptors vs Timberwolves
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Thursday, 11-21-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN4 |
Raptors vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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