Timberwolves vs Celtics Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Rudy's Garden Party

We get treated to an epic matchup on the hardwood as the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics host the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves at TD Garden on Wednesday night.

While these two teams lead their respective conferences, the NBA odds don’t have them on the same level as the Celtics are nearly double-digit home favorites.

To be fair, the T-wolves are in a tough spot. They are playing in the second half of a back-to-back against a Celtics team that has yet to lose at home this season. Can Minnesota’s elite defense keep this game close?

I break down this thrilling matchup and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Timberwolves vs. Celtics. 

Timberwolves vs Celtics odds

Timberwolves vs Celtics predictions

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a tough spot. They are closing out a four-game road trip which saw them take on a tough Orlando Magic team last night. But the T-wolves did what they usually do. They stifled the Magic in a 113-92 victory to improve their road record to 12-8. That said, things get a little tougher tonight. 

The Boston Celtics are coming off a two-point loss to the Pacers in Indiana, but star forward Jayson Tatum did not play in that game. The loss was just Boston’s eighth of the season, but now the Celtics return home where they have yet to lose this season and are 11-6 ATS. Plus, they are expected to have Tatum back.

The Timberwolves have talented offensive players in Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, but this group is mainly known for its defense. Led by Rudy Gobert Minnesota doesn’t let much get past them in the paint and is solid when it comes to closing out on the perimeter.

As a result, the T-wolves lead the NBA in defensive rating and opponent effective field goal percentage while ranking third in opponent 3-pointers made per game and 6th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

The only problem with this matchup is that Boston is nearly as good as Minnesota at the defensive end, ranking second in defensive rating and fourth in opponent eFG%. But while the T-wolves are an inconsistent scoring team that ranks 19th in offensive rating, the Celtics are second in that category as well.

I do think there is one area where the T-wolves will have a slight edge and that’s down low with Gobert.

The Minnesota center is having another solid year. Gobert is still a wall at the rim and is adding 12.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game and he could be in for some big numbers tonight. Gobert has feasted in head-to-head matchups vs. Kristaps Porzingis in his career.

Gobert and Porzingis have faced off 12 times over the years and the French big man is averaging 18.9 points and 13.2 rebounds in those games. That includes a meeting earlier this season where Gobert went for 14 points and 12 boards in helping the T-wolves upset the Celtics 114-109 in overtime in Minnesota back on Nov. 6.

Gobert has a points and rebounds prop sitting at 23.5 for this matchup. A number he has eclipsed in eight of his last 10 games.

My best bet: Rudy Gobert Over 23.5 points + rebounds (-115 at bet365)

Timberwolves vs Celtics same-game parlay

Rudy Gobert Over 23.5 points+rebounds

Timberwolves +9

Under 223.5

+500 at bet365

As per usual, our same-game parlay tips off with my best bet which for this exciting NBA throwdown of conference-leading teams is Rudy Gobert to go Over 23.5 points + rebounds. And while I don’t think that will be enough for the Timberwolves to hand the Celtics their first loss at home this season, the spread is getting to be a little too big here.

While it is the second leg of a back-to-back for the Timberwolves, it is the first leg for the Celtics, who head to Milwaukee to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks tomorrow night. While Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are good to go, Kirstaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford are all questionable (which also helps our Gobert bet). So it wouldn’t be surprising if one or more of these guys were held out.

On top of that, the T-wolves already believe they can compete with this Celtics team thanks to their overtime victory over them in Minnesota back on Nov. 6. I’ll take the nearly double-digit points with the best defensive team in the NBA.

And let’s close this SGP out the Under. These are the top two defensive teams in the NBA and both rank in the bottom half of the NBA when it comes to pace of play. I’m expecting a tight battle here.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Timberwolves vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis

Some sportsbooks opened this NBA matchup with the Celtics as 6.5-point home favorites and they have seen the majority of the early action. The line has moved from 6.5 to 8, and then again to Celtics -9. There are even some 9.5s starting to pop up on the board as of early Wednesday afternoon.

The movement is understandable considering, the Timberwolves are playing their second game in as many nights and don’t have an offense that can match up with the Celtics. But this is a lot of points against a team that has been playing very well. And with Boston’s potential injury situation, this game should be closer than the nearly double-digit spread indicates.

Meanwhile, the total opened at 224 and has been bet down slightly to 223.5. As noted already, these are two great defensive teams that don’t play at the highest of tempos. Minnesota has also played to the Under in five of its last seven games. While Boston is 5-6-1 O/U with a total of 225 or lower this season.

Timberwolves vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Celtics are a middling 7-8 ATS when favored by 9 points or more this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Celtics.

Timberwolves vs Celtics game info

Timberwolves vs Celtics latest injuries

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic