The Toronto Raptors opened their season with a 97-94 win as 1-point home favorites over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Boy, does that feel like a lifetime ago.
The Raps head to Minnesota tonight playing their second game in as many nights, losers of 14 in a row, and are massive double-digit dogs according to the NBA odds.
What can we expect from Toronto against one of the best teams the Western Conference has to offer? I break it all down and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Timberwolves on Wednesday, April 3.
Raptors vs Timberwolves predictions
My best bet: Jaden McDaniels Over 12.5 points (-120 at PointsBet)
What more can be said about the Toronto Raptors at this point? Other than the 2023-24 season looks like a complete dumpster fire.
Even the joy of watching the return of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley was short-lived as Toronto was handed it’s 14-consecutive defeat at the hands of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. A 128-111 final score and another game that was out of reach by the fourth quarter.
It’s not just that the Raptors are losing. They are losing badly. The Raps have a -17.1-point differential during this ugly skid and as a result are just 3-11 against the spread over that stretch.
Even so, tonight’s 16-point spread against the Minnesota Timberwolves feels like a lot. I’m not saying the T-Wolves can’t do it. The Raps are objectively terrible and are playing the second half of a back-to-back on the road against one of the best teams in the Western Conference. I’d rather just focus on the Raptors' biggest flaw in this matchup, and that’s their defense.
Toronto has not been good at preventing buckets ever since trading for Barrett and Quickley. The Raps own the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA since Jan. 1. They are also dead-last in rebounding rate and 28th in opponent assists per possession during that period, and rank 28th in opponent effective field goal percentage for the season.
Basically, they don’t do anything well. The only problem with blindly betting T-Wolves Overs here is the potential blowout that could cost the stars the fourth quarter. Initially, I was looking at Minnesota to go Over its team total, but it’s high for them (116.5) and they tend not to run up scores.
The other problem is Anthony Edwards is in a bit of a slump. Ant is putting up just 19.3 points while shooting 18.8% from 3-point range over his last six games. Luckily, his teammates have picked up the slack, including Jaden McDaniels.
The T-Wolves young forward is averaging 14.6 points and shooting 37.1% from three over his last seven games. His point total is sitting at 12.5, a number he’s eclipsed in four of those seven games. With this being a perfect opportunity to give Ant a bit of a breather, look for McDaniels to keep firing away.
Raptors vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Jaden McDaniels Over 12.5 points
Jaden McDaniels Over 1.5 made 3s
Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 assists
How will McDaniels get Over 12.5 points? Well, he’ll hit a few 3s to help himself out. With no Mike Conley, I expect a few more drive and kicks, or some inside-out action with Rudy Gobert for the T-Wolves tonight.
McDaniels is hitting 37.1% of his attempted 3s over the last seven games and has hit multiple treys four times in that stretch. Add Over 1.5 made 3s to this same-game parlay.
Without Conley, Anthony Edwards becomes the T-Wolves primary playmaker and has been passing the ball more in general since Karl-Anthony Towns went out. He’s had five or more assists in eight of his last nine and Minny will hit their shots vs. this sad-sack Raptors team. Close this SGP out with Over 5.5 assists for Ant.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Raptors vs Timberwolves odds and trends
Raptors vs Timberwolves live odds
Raptors vs Timberwolves opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +16 | Minnesota -16
- Moneyline: Toronto +625 | Minnesota -950
- Over/Under: Over 215.5 | Under 215.5
Raptors vs Timberwolves spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened this matchup as 16-point underdogs and with Mike Conley out the line moved down slightly to Toronto +15.5.
- The Raptors have been an 11-point underdog or greater five times in its last eight games. They are 0-5 ATS in those games.
- The total hit the board at a low 215.5 and is down slightly to 215 as of Wednesday afternoon.
- I might lean Over here. The Raptors have played Over their team total in three straight games and aren't stopping anybody on defense.
Raptors vs Timberwolves trend
The Raptors are just 3-11 ATS during this current 14-game losing streak. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Timberwolves.
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Raptors vs Timberwolves game info
| Location: | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |
| Date: | Wednesday, April 3, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports North, TSN |
Not intended for use in MA.
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